Dark Tourism

The phenomena of Dark Tourism has been studied for the first time at a global level by Professors Lennon and Foley. John Lennon and Craig Wight continue to undertake research into this phenomenon and have published a number of articles and book chapters over the last six years outlined below. 

A large number of sites associated with war, genocide, assassination and other tragic events have become significant tourist destinations. Professor John Lennon and his associate Professor Malcolm Foley have labelled this phenomenon ‘dark tourism’ and look at possible reasons why tourists visit these attractions –  for remembrance, education or entertainment.

Dark tourism sites present governments and other authorities with moral and ethical dilemmas, where recent tragic history often confronts the dynamic of commercial development and exploitation.
Publications

Dark Tourism – the attraction of death and disaster
John Lennon and Malcolm Foley
http://www.continuumbooks.com 
November 2000 
ISBN 0 82464 5064 4
Paperback £14.99
Hardback £50.00

This fascinating and provocative book covers a wide range of sites around the world, from the death camps of Poland to the death site of an American President. It demonstrates the sometimes disturbing reality of ‘dark tourism’.

“Dark Tourism is a much anticipated study that sheds light on a controversial and fascinating area of tourism. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the politics and ethics of the heritage debate.”

Dr A V Seaton Whitbread Professor of Tourism, 
University of Luton

Special issue on Dark Tourism – a conceptual approach to tourism.
Edited by John Lennon and Malcolm Foley
International Journal of Heritage Studies
http://www.tandf.co.uk 
Winter 1996
Volume 2 Number 1
ISSN 1352 7258

This publication includes four articles including “JFK and Dark Tourism: a fascination with assassination”.
John to add recent publications (paste from CV?)

Craig Wight

Journal Article with John Lennon:
‘Towards an Understanding of Visitor Perceptions of ‘Dark’ Attractions’ in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Volume 2, Number 2, 2004

Journal Article:
‘Philosophical and Methodological Praxes in Dark Tourism: Controversy, Contention and the Evolving Paradigm’ Journal of Vacation Marketing, Volume 12, Number 2, 2006

Journal article in press, accepted by Tourism Management with John Lennon:
‘Selective Interpretation and Eclectic Human Heritage in Lithuania’

Book Chapter:
‘The Legerdemain in the Rhetoric of Battlefield Museums: Historical Pluralism and Cryptic Parti Pris’ in Battelfield Tourism, Chris Ryan (Eds)

Undergraduate Dissertation:
‘Visitation and interpretation of the Imperial War Museum of the North, Manchester Exhibition’. Undergraduate Dissertation (First Class BA Honours) completed at Glasgow Caledonian University Library

Masters Dissertation:
‘The Discourses of Lithuanian wartime tragedy: A Study of 2 Museums’

Conference Paper:
Selective Heritage Interpretation in Lithuania – presented at The First Annual Interpreting World Heritage Conference, "Connecting People to Places Through Sustainable Heritage Tourism", San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 1-5 2006

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