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Exploring the Wreckage: An Examination of Dark Tourism from the Public Relations PerspectiveA Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of theRequirements of the Renée Crown University Honors Program atSyracuse UniversityShannon HopeCandidate for Bachelor of Science Degreeand Renée Crown University HonorsSpring 2020Honors Thesis in Your MajorThesis Advisor: _______________________ Maria RussellThesis Reader: _______________________ Bradford HornHonors Director: _______________________ Dr. Danielle Smith, Director ABSTRACTThis study examines the purposes behind Dark Tourism and how destinations where disaster and tragedy have occurred can be established as tourist destinations while still aligning with these purposes. Sparked by television shows such as HBO’s Chernobyl, dark tourism has seen a significant increase in the last few years. While some may argue that this kind of tourism capitalizes on the death and destruction of others, experts argue that there are three key purposes – Education, Remembrance and Reflection – that make this kind of tourism not only moral, but important. This thesis studies examples of locations in three different categories of dark tourism. The categories chosen include terrorism and war, natural and man-made disasters and the sites of mass genocide. Everything from the history of each site to what a visit would look like to how each site promotes itself to the public using both traditional and nontraditional methods were examined. Similarities and differences between each site are then analyzed to determine whether or not each component follows the purposes of dark tourism. Three main recommendations are then made for a hypothetical scenario in which the Lockerbie Air Disaster sites could work to establish as a tourist destination. The recommendations all maintain the purpose to educate, to reflect, to remember or a combination of all three. Overall, the conclusion is made that the tourism of disaster sites and locations of tragedy can be important and beneficial when it is done correctly and follows these main purposes. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYDark Tourism is a phenomenon that dates back to days when people would gather in the town square to witness public executions. Since then, the motivations and activities involved in dark tourism have evolved and changed. Now, this type of tourism more commonly involves visiting those sites where tragedy and disaster has taken place. In many cases, this involves visiting the locations where death has occurred. Many tourists who take part in dark tourism do so out of a fascination with death and disaster. They use it to put the event into context in order to better come to terms with it. Television shows such as HBO’s Chernobyl and other forms of pop culture have brought more awareness to this kind of tourism and caused a spark in interest. With this recent increase in dark tourism has come a debate over whether it is right and respectful for people to engage in this kind of tourism. There are people who argue that dark tourism can lead to people capitalizing off the deaths or tragedy of others and has implications such as people acting disrespectfully at these sites. However, most dark tourist experts have determined three main purposes that make dark tourism not only okay, but important. When these purposes – Education, Remembrance and Reflection – are kept in mind, visitors can learn from the events of the past in order to ensure that history does not repeat itself. It is the responsibility of such sites to remind visitors of these purposes and how to act accordingly in these locations. In this thesis, dark tourism is explored through the examination and analysis of six different dark tourist sites, broken into three different categories – Terrorism and War, Natural and Man-made Disasters and Sites of Mass Genocide. The history of each of the six sites is provided to give context to the event or tragedy that occurred there. Each site is also given a description of what a visitor would experience, from important landmarks that they would see to how much it would cost, to other available facilities including cafes and shops. Then the promotion of these sites as tourist destinations is explored and examined. Overall, there were many similar patterns from site to site. All sites worked to provide visitors with educational materials whether through pamphlets, museum exhibits or guided and audio tours. Additionally, each site had some type of memorial that guests could visit to pay respect to the victims of the tragedy. Because these are sites where historical events took place, most sites do not find it necessary to use traditional methods of promotion. Rather, they raise awareness as a tourist destination through websites, social media and news articles that work not only as a method of promotion, but also as a way to provide visitors and those who are unable to visit with more information about what happened and what an experience visiting is like as well as how to visit respectfully and proper behaviors to follow. Following this analysis of similarities and differences, recommendations are provided for the Lockerbie Air Disaster Sites which are not yet established tourist destinations. These three recommendations align with main purposes of dark tourism and would allow visitors to learn about the event and understand its significance. While this is a hypothetical situation, other disaster sites that are looking to be established as tourist destinations could use these recommendations in order to ensure that they are educating, remembering and reflecting. When these purposes are maintained, dark tourism can be an important practice that allows for victims to be memorialized and encourages the prevention of certain behaviors that would cause these events from recurring. Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u ABSTRACT PAGEREF _Toc38563569 \h iEXECUTIVE SUMMARY PAGEREF _Toc38563570 \h iiACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PAGEREF _Toc38563571 \h viINTRODUCTION PAGEREF _Toc38563572 \h 1Visiting Lockerbie PAGEREF _Toc38563573 \h 1What is Tourism? PAGEREF _Toc38563574 \h 2What is Dark Tourism? PAGEREF _Toc38563575 \h 4Methods PAGEREF _Toc38563576 \h 5Literature Review PAGEREF _Toc38563577 \h 8Positive PAGEREF _Toc38563578 \h 8Negative PAGEREF _Toc38563579 \h 9Neutral PAGEREF _Toc38563580 \h 10TERRORISM AND WAR PAGEREF _Toc38563581 \h 13Ground Zero PAGEREF _Toc38563582 \h 13Hiroshima PAGEREF _Toc38563583 \h 16DISASTERS PAGEREF _Toc38563584 \h 19Pompeii PAGEREF _Toc38563585 \h 19Chernobyl PAGEREF _Toc38563586 \h 20SITES OF MASS GENOCIDE PAGEREF _Toc38563587 \h 24Auschwitz PAGEREF _Toc38563588 \h 24Cambodia Killing Fields PAGEREF _Toc38563589 \h 26DISCUSSION PAGEREF _Toc38563590 \h 29Similarities PAGEREF _Toc38563591 \h 29Differences PAGEREF _Toc38563592 \h 30My Personal Conclusions PAGEREF _Toc38563593 \h 32RECOMMENDATIONS PAGEREF _Toc38563594 \h 34Recommendation 1: Creation of a Visitor Website PAGEREF _Toc38563595 \h 34Recommendation 2: Journalist Visits PAGEREF _Toc38563596 \h 35Recommendation 3: Provide Educational Materials Around Each Site PAGEREF _Toc38563597 \h 36CONCLUSION PAGEREF _Toc38563598 \h 38Sources Cited and Consulted PAGEREF _Toc38563599 \h 41ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThere are a number of individuals to thank for playing critical roles in the completion of this thesis and I appreciate their guidance and assistance throughout the process. Maria Russel, thank you for your guidance and support as my advisor. You helped to keep me on track and encouraged me when I wasn’t sure where to go next. Thank you for all of the time you put into providing feedback; I could not have successfully completed this paper without you. To my reader, Bradford Horn, thank you for putting so much time and effort to provide constructive feedback and give me ideas on how to move forward. You have taught me so much throughout my Newhouse career and I am so grateful for you. Thank you to Becca Farnum from the SU London Program for putting together the first ambassadorial trip to Lockerbie and inspiring the concept for this project. I have loved getting to bring what we discussed in the initial planning of this thesis to life. Thank you to my fellow Renée Crown Honors students. I am so proud of each and every single one of you and I have loved getting to go on my college journey with you all. Finally, thank you to my friends and especially my family for pushing me to keep going even when it didn’t seem like things were going to get done and were showing me endless support and encouragement. INTRODUCTIONVisiting LockerbieIn the Fall Semester of 2016, I had the opportunity to attend an ambassadorial trip to Lockerbie, Scotland as a participant of the Syracuse University London Program. Lockerbie is a sleepy little town located in the Sottish countryside, approximately 100 miles north of London. On December 21, 1988, the residents of Lockerbie had their world turned upside-down when Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed and crashed around this quiet and unsuspecting town, killing all 259 people on board as well as 11 people on the ground. This even is regarded as the “the deadliest aviation incident,” “the deadliest act of terrorism, ever to take place in the United Kingdom,” and “the deadliest act of terror against the United States prior to 9/11” (Undiscovered Scotland, 2000). On my trip to Lockerbie, I had the opportunity to learn more about the tragedy and its victims and to visit the Lockerbie Disaster Sites including the residential area, Sherwood Crescent, Tundergarth Church and the Garden of Remembrance. I got to hear the experiences of people who lived in the town at that time and listen to stories from people who knew some of the victims. Thirty-Five of the passengers were Syracuse University students traveling home after spending a semester abroad. As I reflected on this trip, I thought about the closest thing to the Lockerbie Air Disaster that I have ever experienced, 9/11. I thought about my visit to Ground Zero and the 9/11 museum and pondered the experience of touring a disaster site as I had with Ground Zero and the Lockerbie sites. That is when I learned about the concept of “dark tourism” and realized that many engage in this kind of travel without even realizing it. I began to wonder why Ground Zero was such a pull for tourists from all over, but the Lockerbie sites seemed relatively untouched except by those who were directly affected by the tragedy. I thought about other disaster sites that were seen as tourist destinations and pondered the question about whether or not this was an ethical practice and how sites like these could establish themselves as tourist destinations in a way that educates and allows visitors to remember and pay respects to the victims while reflecting upon their own lives.What is Tourism? Oxford Dictionary defines tourism as “the commercial organization and operation of vacations and visits to places of interest” (Tourism, n. d. ). When most consider the subject of travel and tourism, they think all-inclusive resorts, once-in-a-lifetime excursions and the perfect Instagram opportunity. However, tourism is about more than just travel and vacations, it is important in the development of different locations. Many governments encourage tourism as it brings more money into the market and can better the economy in those places. Many cities and countries have websites that list the activities visitors can do during their time. Governments also encourage tourism through infrastructure like public transportation and airports. This makes traveling to and from places much easier and more accessible. Tourism in certain places can help to stimulate jobs and drives revenue for many other industries. (Thakur, n.d.).There are many different categories of tourism that people can engage in. Recreational tourism is the most common category, and it involves what most people typically think of when they picture a vacation, sitting on a beach or by the pool, spending a day hitting the slopes or getting their desired Instagram picture in front of a famous landmark. In another category, volunteer tourism, visitors to a new place engage in activities to give back to certain communities (Stainton, 2019). This is often the case of mission and relief trips. Religious tourism goes back to pilgrimages and nowadays involves visits to religious sites such as the Vatican in Italy or St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Ireland, as well as any trip where the purpose revolves around religion such as trips to the Holy Land (Stainton, 2019). In ecotourism, actions are taken with the idea of conservation in mind. Tourists seek to be sustainable and have minimal impact on the environment (Stainton, 2019). Other forms of tourism can include vinitourism, fashion tourism, food tourism, etc (Stainton, 2019). Tourists can engage in multiple categories of tourism on one trip. For example, on a trip to Italy, I explored multiple cities, visited the Vatican and participated in an exchange performance with an Italian choir. In this example, I participated in recreational tourism, religious tourism and cultural tourism. What is Dark Tourism?One of the most interesting and controversial categories of tourism is dark tourism, also known as disaster tourism. Richard Shipley (2009) defines dark tourism as “the act of travel to sites associated with death, suffering and the seemingly macabre” (p. 21). This includes sites where destruction and disasters have occurred. In the last several years, there has been a surge in interest for dark tourist sites that can be linked to the release of shows such as “Chernobyl” and “Dark Tourist” which give viewers a look at the history of some of these sites and what remains on display now (Stainton, 2019). If these dark tourist destinations are places that are filled with death and horrible tragedies, then what is the motivation for visiting? According to Dr. Hailey Stainton (2019), senior lecturer and tourism expert at Buckinghamshire New University, the purpose of visiting these sites for some tourists is to “engage and immerse themselves into past history and culture. ” These tourists want to educate themselves on what occurred at those sites and put the events into historical context. For others, it is a chance to reflect and come to terms with the tragedy, while paying their respects to victims. Another motivation in visiting these sites is a tourist’s fascination with death. However, some don’t have a specific motivation behind traveling to a disaster site other than they were looking for things to do in that city or region (Stainton, 2019). The significant increase in dark tourism has brought with it a lot of controversy. Many argue that it is a way to pay respect to the tragedy and any victims, while others find it to be an unethical practice that capitalizes on the harm or death of others. This controversy brings up another question. If different cities and governments choose to open up disaster sites to tourists, how can they most ethically promote these sites in order to let the public and potential visitors that they are open? This thesis examines this issue by looking at different types of dark tourism sites: Terrorism and War, Natural and Man-made disasters and death. It will then explore the Lockerbie Air Disaster sites and make recommendations about how a site like this could best open itself to the public while respecting the area and all victims. MethodsTourism and its promotion will be explored and analyzed for three different types of dark tourism sites – Terrorism and War, Natural and Man-made Disasters and Sites of Mass Genocide. The sites of terrorist and war attacks such as Ground Zero and Hiroshima are often preserved as landmarks and tourist destinations in their specific regions. Ground Zero is home to the 9/11 memorial, two fountains with the names of the victims inscribed into them, each where the towers once stood, as well as a museum where visitors can learn more about the tragedy and reflect upon it. In Hiroshima, tourists can visit the Genbaku Dome which is one of the only buildings left standing after the United States dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on the city. (Slovenec, 2019)Natural and man-made disasters such as Pompeii and Chernobyl have become some of the most popular destinations for dark tourism. When visiting Pompeii, people will be able to explore an ancient city that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. However, the ash that covered the city preserved it well and archeologists were able uncover the exact moment the city was hit. Chernobyl is the site where a nuclear power plant exploded, and the city was exposed to harmful radiation. The population of the city abandoned it to seek safety, causing it to become a ghost town. However, it has recently become a popular tourist destination for visitors to the Ukraine. (Slovenec, 2019)The sites of mass genocide such as Auschwitz in Poland and The Killing Fields in Cambodia are some of the most controversial destinations for dark tourism. Auschwitz was one of the largest and most deadly concentration camps active during the Holocaust. It has been maintained effectively and visitors can see exactly what it looked like at the place where over one million people were tortured and murdered. (Fes, 2018). Similarly, the Killing Fields are a number of sites in Cambodia where over one million people were killed under the Khmer Rouge Regime. There are memorials throughout these sites sharing the history of the genocide and displaying important artifacts (Stainton, 2019). This thesis will explore each of these sites through a few main components including history, the tourist experience and the ways these sites raise awareness and connect with visitors through traditional and nontraditional methods of promotion. Several news articles, journals, websites and blogs will be consulted in order to learn how these sites have established themselves as tourist destinations and what the sentiment is from experts as well as those who have visited. Each of these components will be analyzed from an ethical lens in order answer whether or not the establishment promotion of that site as a tourist destination is respectful and right. As a conclusion, recommendations will be made for how the Lockerbie sites could be best established and promoted as a destination for tourists. Literature ReviewThe purpose of this thesis is to explore dark tourism, its purposes and how different dark tourist sites have and can continue to maintain these purposes. The popularity of dark tourism has grown over the years, especially with the production of different series, movies and other films that highlight these spots and make the sites of attacks, disasters and mass murder more intriguing to visitors. However, this rise in interest has also brought up a lot of controversy. This review summarizes various literature that has been published on this topic and divides it into categories based on the sentiment of the author. PositiveMany of the motives behind traveling to the sites of murders, disasters and other tragedies is to educate oneself on what happened in order to put the event into historical context and learn from it (Sampson, 2019). Hannah Sampson (2019) reveals in her article that those who are most knowledgeable about the subject of dark tourism do not condemn it but see it as a way to “understand the past and be more thoughtful about the future”. Sampson is a journalist who had the opportunity to interview J. John Lennon, a professor of tourism at the University of Glasgow and the man who coined the term “dark tourism” (Sampson, 2019). Lennon along with many others who have studies that topic believe that it is important to see these places so that we can see the destruction that humans are capable of in order to advocate for world peace and make sure that these tragedies do not happen again. Another major motivation behind dark tourism is the opportunity to reflect and pay respects to any victims. Esther Gaya, a student at HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences, conducted a survey that studied the motivations of visitors to the August 7th Memorial Park in Kenya, the location where terrorists used a car bomb to blow up the United States Embassy and killed 218 people. In this survey, two percent of respondents revealed that they chose to visit the park either “to reflect and meditate” or “to pay respect to the victims” (p. 28). Being able to see the site of a great tragedy can help those who were personally affected by directly or through cultural or historical associations come to terms with the event. Gaya (2013) claims in her study that many are motivated by “the need to release strong emotions in grief” (p. 33). NegativeLeyla Alyanak’s (n. d. ) blog post about dark tourism includes a warning to followers about the dangers of dark tourism. She argues that with dark tourism comes disrespectful behavior and voyeurism, which is defined as the enjoyment or pleasure from seeing the pain and distress of others (Alyanak, n. d. ). Many others share Alyanak’s (n. d. ) sentiment that capitalizing on death and destruction is immoral. Tourists who visit with the wrong intentions can often be seen taking smiling selfies in front of the Ground Zero Memorial or prancing around the grounds of Auschwitz while ignoring the dark tragedies that have taken place at each location (Alyanak, n. d. ). In her warning, Alyanak (n. d. ) does not completely disregard the benefits of this kind of tourism like education and remembrance but acknowledges and emphasizes the risks. Simon Usborne (2018) also speaks to the consequences of dark tourism in his article with National Geographic, titled Dark Tourism: When Tragedy Means Tourism. In this article, Usborne (2018) reflects on a tragedy in London where 71 people died due to a fire in the Grenfell Tower. Just days after the accident, while recovery workers were still searching for bodies, visitors showed up to take pictures and posted these pictures on social media with the use of cheesy hashtags (Usborne, 2018). Usborne (2018) had the opportunity to interview dark tourism expert Dr. Philip Stone who is starting to look at the idea of taking selfies at these locations, questioning whether or not this makes the visitors who take them selfish. He claims in this interview that “the language of social media means we no longer say ‘I was here,’ but ‘I am here – see me” (Usborne, 2018). Like Alyanak, Usborne does not ignore that dark tourism can have a positive impact as a source of self-reflection, but it all depends on the mindset and behaviors of those who are visiting. NeutralThe Darker Side of Travel, The Theory and Practice of Dark Tourism takes a neutral stance on the topic and explores dark tourism from its history to now, analyzing theories, implications and practice. In this book, Richard Sharpley and Philip R. Stone (2009) break dark tourism down into four methods of dark tourism consumption – Experience, Play, Integration and Classification (p. 28). In dark tourism as experience, it “is a fascination not with the manner, but rather with the meaning or implication of individual/mass death that is fundamental” (Sharpley & Stone, 2009, p. 28). Tourists are interested in the death of others and how it applies to them and their social existence (Sharpley & Stone, 2009, p. 28). In dark tourism as play, death is the driver, but “it is collective celebration, remembrance or mourning that is the dominant factor” (Sharpley & Stone, 28). Tourists and visitors, especially the loved ones of victims, often visit sites with family and friends to share in the remembrance of the tragedy and pay respect to victims. Tourism as integration has two levels but is ultimately defined by the tourists ability to “integrate themselves in the object of consumption, the fascination not being with the death itself but in the broader context within which death occurs” (Sharpley & Stone, 2009, p. 29). This involves sites where tourists are able to interact with certain elements of the site. This also includes those tourists “who seek to integrate themselves with death, either through witnessing violent or untimely deaths” (Sharpley & Stone, 2009, p. 29). This dates back in history to times when entire towns would gather to witness the hanging or execution of prisoners. Tourism as classification involves tourists who “may be more motivated by the potential status of having visited such locations rather than by any specific fascination with death (Sharpley & Stone, 2009, p. 30). In this case, many people will visit to dark tourist sites in order to say they did, rather than to learn or pay their respects. These four overarching methods of dark tourism consumption cover the range of intentions and drivers of tourists to those sites. Hayley Stainton’s (2019) article explains the spectrum of dark tourism from darkest to lightest. This spectrum separates the actual sites of death and suffering at the darkest end of the spectrum from sites merely associated with death and suffering on the lighter end. She argues that the sites on the darker end of the spectrum are often times more authentic and visited with the purpose of education. These sites, such as Chernobyl and the Killing Fields, typically hold higher political significance than those on the lighter end of the spectrum like a model of a dungeon in London or a comedic play about a certain tragedy. This lighter end deals more with entertainment and sites on this end tend to be more commercialized. Sites and activities that fall on this end romanticize tragic events rather than educate visitors about what actually happened (Stainton, 2019). Stainton (2019) also provides a list of activities that are considered inappropriate when visiting a dark tourist site, specifically ones on the darker end of the spectrum. Her list includes photographing people, laughing at the experiences of others, using inappropriate language or making inappropriate remarks, dressing inappropriately, talking loudly, etc. TERRORISM AND WARGround ZeroOn September 11, 2001, the United States had its world turned upside down when four planes were hijacked by terrorists. Two of these planes were crashed into the twin towers at the World Trade Center, one was crashed at the Pentagon and the final plane was taken over by desperate passengers and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The attacks that day took the lives of almost 3,000 people that included the passengers and crew on all four planes, civilians on the ground around the Pentagon and World Trade Center, as well as first responders and emergency personnel. (History Channel, 2010). The place where each of the towers crumbled after being struck became known as Ground Zero. In this place, emergency personnel spent nearly a year searching for any remains or survivors who may have been trapped in the rubble (History Channel, 2010). After a few years, there were talks of constructing some sort of memorial or site to honor the victims of that tragic day. A competition was held in 2003 to determine what the memorial would look like and in 2006, New York City began the construction of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum as well as a building that would become the new World Trade Center (History Channel, 2011). Now, over four million people visit the memorial and museum annually.The memorial site consists of “two large waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the Twin Towers” (History Channel, 2011). The name of every victim is inscribed into the fountains with the North Pool displaying the names of World Trade Center North, Flight 11 and victims of the 1993 World Trade Center truck bombing, and the South Pool Displaying the names of World Trade Center South, The Pentagon, Flight 175, Flight 77, Flight 93 and First Responders (About the Memorial, n. d. ). On September 11, 2011, ten years after the tragic day, the memorial was dedicated in a special ceremony for the families of the victims and it opened to the public one day later (History Channel, 2011). Near the memorial, visitors can find the Survivor Tree, a tree that was found damaged near the rubble of the crash and was recovered, placed in rehabilitation and planted near the site as a “living reminder of resilience, survival and rebirth” (The Survivor Tree, n. d. ). Visitors can also walk through the 9/11 Memorial Glade, which was designed and dedicated to all those who helped with recovery after the crash (About the Memorial, n. d. ). Beneath the fountains is the 9/11 museum which opened in May 2014 (Farrell, 2014). The 9/11 Memorial & Museum Website provides a description of the museum:“The 9/11 Memorial Museum invites visitors to learn about the history of the 9/11 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing at the site where the Twin Towers once stood. The Museum’s dynamic blend of architecture, archaeology, and history creates an unforgettable encounter with the story of the attacks, the?aftermath, and the people who experienced these events. ” (About the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, n. d. )Placed in the cavity of the original World Trade Center, the museum displays remnants from the crash including the Survivors’ Stairs, the Last Column and other artifacts that were salvaged from the wreckage (The Museum, n. d. ). Through artifacts, recorded sound and other storytelling methods, visitors are able to learn about the history of the World Trade Center from before the attack to the day of the tragedy to moving forward after (The Museum, n. d. ). The museum offers visitors a place to reflect and process the events of that day and pay their respects to the victims. The 9/11 Memorial, Survivor Tree and Memorial Glade are all free to public, but the museum sells tickets at prices ranging from $15-$24. (CityPass Scrapbook, n. d. ). Visitors can get a guided tour of the museum or complete a self-guided tour by downloading an app that allows guests to interact with some of the exhibits (CityPass Scrapbook, n. d. ). While in the museum, guests can have a snack at the museum café and at the end of their tour, they will be able to visit the museum store where they can purchase memorabilia including shirts, keychains, books, postcards, etc. (Museum Store, n. d. ). Those who are unable to visit the museum or guests who want to continue learning after their visit can connect with the memorial site on social media, which gives followers and inside look at the museum through photos and videos about certain artifacts, victims, etc. In its opening years, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum partnered with BBDO to create more traditional advertising campaign (Nudd, 2013). Journalists are often invited by the museum to take a familiarization tour of the grounds and memorial and encouraged to write articles about their visit. HiroshimaThe world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan by the United States on August 6, 1945 during World War II in what was called The Manhattan Project. The bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” caused an explosion that destroyed most of the city and killed about 80,000 instantly. It is estimated that another tens of thousands of people later died of complications from radiation exposure (History Channel, 2009). Following this bombing, the United States dropped another atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki. This bomb was nicknamed “Fat Man” and directly or indirectly killed about 80,000 people by the end of 1945 (Atomic Heritage, 2017). These two events led to Japan’s surrender in the war and were the introduction of the damage nuclear weapons could do (History Channel, 2009). Over the last 75 years, Hiroshima has been able to recover and rebuild and is now a “a center of government, economics and culture” (About Atomic Dome, n. d. ). Although most of the original city and architecture was destroyed in the bombing, one structure miraculously still stands. The Genbaku Dome, now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome or Hiroshima Peace Memorial was located just below the site of the explosion and acts as a symbol of the damage (Slovenec, 2019). At the time of the bombing, this building stood as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. Even though the dome was located at the hypocenter of impact, “the thick outer walls and the steel dome escaped complete destruction” (About Atomic Dome, n.d.). However, the impact caused the building to burst into flames, killing everyone inside and destroying the interior (About Atomic Dome, n. d. ). Now this memorial symbolizes “the fight to rid the world of nuclear weapons and bring about world peace” (About Atomic Dome, n. d. ). The Atomic Bomb Dome became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 (CNN Staff, 2016). This means that this site is considered to be culturally significant and of outstanding value to humanity and therefore should be protected and preserved.Hiroshima sees about two million tourists annually. Visitors to Hiroshima can tour the site of the explosion and see first person the damage that this war caused as they look at the memorial. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum opened up ten years after the day of the tragedy (CNN Staff, 2016). The museum seeks to educate visitors about the bombing, the damage it caused and the dangers of nuclear weapons. Exhibits in the museum display pictures, testimonies from survivors, artifacts salvaged from the rubble and personal belongings left behind by victims (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, n. d. ). Visitors can continue to educate themselves and reflect on the tragedy at the Peace Bell, Children’s Peace Monument, Flame of Peace, Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims and Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall. All of these sites show the realities of nuclear weapons and encourage the fight for world peace through their signage and exhibits. While most of the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Sites are free to visit, the museum sells tickets ranging from 100-200 Yen ($0. 93-$1. 85). Once there, guests can either receive a tour of the museum with a guide or rent a self-tour audio guide for 400 Yen ($3. 71). Inside the museum, there is a Visitor’s Lounge where guests can purchase food and drinks, as well as a museum shop that sells items related to the bombing and peace related matters including books, postcards, DVDs, shirts, etc. (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, n. d. ) While the city of Hiroshima has not used traditional advertising to promote the sites of the bombing, it lists them on its tourism website VisitHiroshima. com. This website contains the history of the tragedy and suggests walks for visitors that will take them to all the sites, providing brief descriptions as to the significance of each site. In addition to this, many articles have been written sharing the experience of journalists who were invited to visit the city. DISASTERSPompeiiIn 79 A. D. , Mount Vesuvius erupted covering the town of Pompeii with volcanic ash and killing most of the residents (Viviano, 2016). When the city was rediscovered in 1748, explorers were shocked to find that the dust and debris that covered the city were able to preserve the city and keep it intact. The city was frozen in time and the buildings, artifacts and skeletons give visitors a glimpse into life in the ancient world (History Channel, 2010). It is estimated that 16,000 people were killed in the event and many of these bodies were found petrified in the positions they were in at the time of the eruption. Archeologists have been able to make molds of these skeletons showing people cowering in fear or holding their children (Slovenec, 2019). After the city’s discovery, archeologists have been able to uncover 2/3 of the area for public access. It has now become one of Italy’s most popular attractions with about 2. 5 million tourists every year (Pullella, 2010). Visitors can walk the streets of Pompeii and see how residents lived their lives. They can step into the remains of structures such as homes, baths and markets. On display, guests will see the molds of the bodies that were found as well as belongings that were left behind by victims (Viviano, 2016). The remains educate guests on how life was lived in ancient times and show us the artwork and technology of the time. Tickets to enter Pompeii are sold to visitors for 16 euros ($17. 87) and guests can take either a guided tour or use a map to do a self-guided tour. The excavation site has refreshment stands inside where visitors can purchase food and beverages as well as a bookshop that sells publications such as books, magazines and newspapers with information about Pompeii’s history, from its construction to its destruction and the process of excavating afterward (Pompeii, n. d. ). Those who want to learn more about Pompeii but are unable to visit the actual site can connect with the archeological sites on social media where pictures and videos with information about different exhibits and items that are on display. As one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, it appears as a top destination on Google searches and in lists of things to do while in the country. In addition, many influencers and journalists have visited and created content, both digital and published, about their experience. ChernobylOn April 26, 1986 during a routine test, a nuclear power plant in Ukraine exploded, blowing the roof of one of the reactors and releasing massive amounts of radiation (History Channel, 2018). A cloud of radioactive dust spewed out and spread to neighboring areas (Chernobyl Welcome, n. d. ). The explosion immediately killed two workers, but many more died or suffered from complications, including 28 who died within months of the accident from acute radiation exposure. The next day, the Soviet government evacuated residents of the neighboring town of Pripyat and many would never go back to their homes (History Channel, 2018). Two hundred and six days after the explosion, a steel sarcophagus was installed over the reactor to prevent more radiation from being released and in 2016 a New Safe Confinement was placed over this to reinforce the sarcophagus (History Channel, 2018). The town of Pripyat and other areas surround Chernobyl are essentially trapped in time with things still in the spots evacuees left them, with the exception of damage done by looters (Chernobyl Welcome, n. d. ). The areas within this 770-mile range are called the Chernobyl Exclusion and they are still not yet safe for humans to inhabit (History Channel, 2018). Oddly enough, wildlife has been able to thrive in this area. In 2011, the area was opened to tourists with a licensed guide and in 2019 it was announced by the government that it would become an official tourist attraction of Ukraine (CNN Travel). The purpose of making it an official tourist attraction was to transition it from a symbol of corruption to a symbol of freedom and the “new Ukraine” (Kolirin & Guy, 2019). Visitors can enter the Exclusion Zone with various tour companies. They are advised to wear long sleeves and pants and must not have any space between their pants and shoes (Canales, 2019). These tour companies bus guests into the Pripyat where they are able to walk around and see a city that has been relatively untouched. Guests can see houses, swimming pools and even the Ferris Wheel in the amusement park, a spot with some of the highest radiation levels (Canales, 2019). On their visit to this real-life ghost town, guests will be able to get a glimpse at what life in a typical Soviet city looked like and learn more about this time (Dao, 2019). Although the Ukrainian government has declared Chernobyl an official tourist attraction, it has not yet created an official group to run this operation. Instead, independent tour companies have licensed guides take visitors into the city. Tour groups offer 1-day, 2-day and 3-day tours as well as private tours and these can run anywhere from $75 to $500 depending on the type of tour and what is included (Wheeler, 2019). At the main gates of Chernobyl is the Sales and Information Center where guests can “get the necessary information about the Chernobyl Zone and rules of visiting it, view videos and obtain printed materials” (Remembering Places, 2019). This is also the spot where visitors can make purchases from dosimeters used for tracking radiation on the tour to souvenirs such as shirts, keychains, etc. While Chernobyl has been welcoming tourists for over 30 years, the 2019 release of the HBO series “Chernobyl” caused a 40% increase in tourism in the area (CNN Travel). The presence of multiple independent tour companies means that there is a bit of competition in that area. Tour companies must distinguish themselves in order to stay in business. Many have used sites such as Trip Advisor and Expedia to promote themselves to the public (Hit Wise, 2019). In addition, many companies have accounts on social media where guests can get a behind-the-scenes look at the tour before making their decision. Some companies such as Wowcher have made an attempt to use traditional advertising but have received much backlash for this (Ritschel, 2019). Chernobyl has also been a popular spot for influencers who are looking to get photos with the aesthetic of a post-apocalyptic world. Like Wowcher, these influencers have been criticized for using a tragedy that caused much destruction and death for their own selfish purposes (Lock, 2019). SITES OF MASS GENOCIDEAuschwitz Auschwitz, located in southern Poland, opened in 1940 and was meant to be a detention center for political prisoners. It soon became the largest Nazi concentration and death camp. Jewish people and other enemies of the Nazi regime were tortured and murdered during World War II (History Channel, 2009). When prisoners arrived at the camp, they were determined to be fit to work or not. Those who were deemed unfit to work were immediately ordered to “shower” and were led to their deaths in gas chambers. This group often included women, children, the elderly and the disabled (History Channel, 2009). Those who were fit to work were then forced to complete slave labor and contribute to the production of items that were considered essential to Germany. Many died from exhaustion, starvation and disease or as a result of being forced to be subjects of dangerous experiments (History Channel, 2009). In 1945, as the end of the war seemed near, Soviet forces entered Germany and Auschwitz was immediately evacuated. German troops led prisoners on a 30-mile march that many did not make and those who did were sent to other concentration camps in Germany (History Channel, 2009). When the Soviets arrived at Auschwitz, they witnessed the extent of terror and damage that was caused there. They found sick and starved prisoners as well as piles of human remains and belongings. It is impossible to know exactly how many lives were lost as many people were not registered before their immediate extermination, but it is estimated that between 1. 1 and 1. 5 million people died at Auschwitz (History Channel, 2009). The camp was opened to visitors as soon as 1945, although it was not a popular destination until plans to establish a museum were put in place. Now, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum sees over 1. 5 million tourists annually. Visitors can walk around the grounds that the prisoners walked on less than a century ago, enter the barracks and prison cells, and even get a look at the crematorium (Auschwitz-Birkenau, n. d. ). The museum has exhibits displaying stories from survivors, belongings left behind by victims and photos of prisoners (Earth Trekkers). People come from around the world to see what life may have been like in the camp, learn about the tragedies that occurred there and reflect on the horrors and pay respect to victims (Donadio, 2015). “Everyone who visits this place is overwhelmed by something. For me, it wasn’t the hair or the suitcases or the shoes, or even the gas chamber or the industrial ovens used for burning corpses. It was a small wooden vitrine with kitchen utensils. A rolling pin, some metal graters, a small wooden-handled potato peeler. When I saw the potato peeler, tears welled up in my eyes. There was something so sad in its simplicity. It told an unfinished story — an aborted future of everyday days. ”-Rachel Donadio (2015) It is free to enter the grounds of Auschwitz, but guests must pay for guided tours which run about 70 PLN ($17. 18) per person (Auschwitz-Birknau, n. d. ). Visitors to the museum can visit the bookstore that sells educational publications about Auschwitz, the Holocaust and World War II. There is a limit as to how many visitors can enter Auschwitz daily as well as the size and number of tour groups that are allowed onto the grounds at once (Hodgkinson, 2013). Those who are unable to physically visit Auschwitz can take a virtual tour on the website or connect with the memorial and museum on social media where educational posts are made showing pictures of the grounds and items that are on display throughout. Many journalists have visited Auschwitz and written detailed articles about their experience. While Auschwitz is not directly promoted as a tourist destination, many tour groups list it as a stop on their tours of Poland (Wolfson, 2018). In addition, it is listed as a top destination on Google when searching for things to see in Poland. Cambodia Killing FieldsFrom 1965 to 1979, Pol Pot led Cambodia with his communist Khmer Rouge government (History Channel, 2009). The regime targeted educated middle-class citizens such as intellectuals, civil servants, religious leaders and doctors and forced them into special camps where many were tortured and killed (BBC Staff, 2018). It is estimated that almost 2 million Cambodians died of starvation, torture, overwork , etc. and the bodies of the victims were thrown into mass graves all over Cambodia that are now known at The Killing Fields (Istvan, 2003). In 1979, Vietnam overthrew the Khmer Rouge and individuals in the camps were freed (BBC Staff, 2018). These Killing Fields are spread throughout Cambodia and have become one of the main tourist attractions for the country. In Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, tourists can visit Choeung Ek, home to the Memorial Stupa, and Tuol Sleng Museum (Visit Cambodia, n. d. ). In the center of a field surrounded by farmland, guests can see the skulls of 8,000 victims that have been placed in the Memorial Stupa and imagine the horrors of this genocide. At the museum, which was built in a former torture camp and prison center, guests can hear the stories of survivors and view photos and belongings of the victims, as well as see what kinds of weapons were involved in their murders (Istvan, 2003). Tourists visit to learn more about the regime and pay their respects to the people that were lost. It is $6 for entrance into both Choeung Ek to see the Memorial Stupa and the museum. The prices for each of these include admission and an audio guide that visits can use to do a self-guided tour (Borton, 2016). Visitors can also make a donation in order to receive a guided tour (Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, n. d. ). The museum does not have a bookstore or any place to purchase refreshments while visiting. Guests must follow dress code regulations when visiting the museum (Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, n. d. ). Official social media pages have been set up for people who are unable to physically visit the Killing Fields but want to connect with the tragedy and learn more. These pages share educational posts about the genocide and different exhibits at the museum as well as reminders to guests about where to purchase tickets, how to act respectfully on the grounds, etc. In addition, many journalists and travel bloggers have published pieces about their experiences visiting these sites. DISCUSSIONIn the research about each dark tourist site, I found key similarities and differences in how tourism was facilitated, encouraged and promoted at each site. SimilaritiesTwo key patterns that I distinguished were the emphasis on education and the use of unpaid, non-traditional advertising to promote the site. For many of the sites, the motivation behind establishing as a tourist destination is to educate visitors about the tragedy that occurred there, putting it into context with history. Almost all the sites researched provide a tour, whether with a tour guide, or self-guided, so guests can learn about each site and what happened there. These guides tell not only the history of the site but talk about the area during that time and help to give it more meaning historically. Each site also had a sort of platform, website or social media, where people can either continue to educate themselves after their visit or connect with the site despite not being able to visit in person. Education is one of the major benefits of and arguments for dark tourism, so it is important that dark tourist sites provide these kinds of resources and encourage guests to take advantage of them fully. The second pattern I noticed was the lack of paid, traditional advertising in the form of print, television or digital advertising spots. In The Darker Side of Tourism, Sharpley and Stone (2009) explains why this is the case by pointing out that in many cases, the popularity of these sites is “accidental” in that “they have not been purposely created or developed as tourist attractions but have become so for a variety of reasons, such as fame (or infamy) of people concerned, the events that once occurred there or even, perhaps, the beauty of a building (p. 19). The reason that people know about the majority of these sites is because they are the location for some major event in history. Because of this, they often times don’t need the help of traditional methods of advertising for people to know about them. A common practice that these sites take advantage of is familiarization tours. Journalists are invited to certain destinations, shown what that place has to offer and encouraged to write about it for one or more publications. Whether invited by the government or museum or on their own accord, journalists choose to come to these sites, often times on important anniversaries and publish articles or blog posts about their experiences. This storytelling method can be both an effective and educational way to draw people in and encourage them to visit for themselves. Those sites who have attempted the more traditional method of advertising, namely tour companies that partner with Chernobyl have received criticism and backlash for capitalizing on a tragic event that cause massive amounts of death and destruction. DifferencesTwo major differences that are apparent within the research is the selling of tickets and the presence of either a gift shop, bookstore or café. There were significant differences in the availability and sale of tickets at each site. Tourists can visit sites like Auschwitz, the 9/11 Memorial and select Hiroshima sites for free if they are not looking to have a guided tour. Similarly, some sites such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Cheoung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Museum only charge guests a couple dollars for entrance and either a guided or self-guided tour. On the flip side, guests who want to visit the 9/11 Museum or Pompeii can pay somewhere between $15-$30 to do so. While this may not seem like a lot, it can add up especially for families. Finally, visitors to Chernobyl must pay anywhere from $75 to $500 for entrance. There is a lot of debate among experts in the tourism industry as well as those that are most affected by the event over whether these destinations should charge guests for admissions and while many use this money for upkeep of the museum or donate it to a cause linked to the tragedy, there is not a lot of information as to where this money goes to. The presence of a gift shop, bookstore or café was the biggest discrepancy among each site. Sites like Ground Zero, Hiroshima and Chernobyl have full gift shops with items such as shirts, keychains, pens and other related items that could be viewed as kitschy. This has caused a lot of controversy as it seems like just another way for the organizations who run these sites to capitalize on the tragedies of others. There has been much criticism of sites like these, specifically Ground Zero, for exploiting the event through the sale of souvenirs. One critic, Constantin Boym, claims that if these sites choose to have a gift shop, they should not sell anything that is functional, namely jewelry, a shower curtain, a shirt, etc. He argues that “combining the ‘sacred memory’ with a trivial use renders the object distasteful (Silverberg, 2014). Other sites, such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Pompeii and Auschwitz, choose not to sell traditional souvenirs, but have a bookstore on site with publications and reading materials related to the event or location. This is another way in which dark tourist destinations can encourage education and help those who visit remember and come to terms with a tragic event in history. My Personal ConclusionsIs dark tourism and its promotion an ethical practice? Based on the research, I agree with most scholars who say that it can be if motivations, behaviors and methods are driven by the right intentions. While I can understand the concerns of welcoming tourists to such places, I believe that if each of these destinations does its part in educating visitors on best practices, then a lot of valuable learning and reflecting can take place there. These places should make themselves accessible for anyone who chooses to visit, both physically, but all from a financial standpoint. It is immoral for tour companies to be charging visitors over just a few dollars to enter an important site for remembrance. Destinations that are available to connect with via a website or social media have made themselves accessible for those who are not able to physically visit. Additionally, I follow the sentiment that disaster sites should not be selling kitschy souvenirs such as shirts, keychains, etc. as these are really just used, as Dr. Stone states in his interview, to say “Look. I was here. ” (Usborne, 2018). However, a bookstore that sells publications about the destination, the event or history during that time contribute to the continued education and help to put everything into historical context. One dark tourist destination that I personally have visited that I believe created a very educational and reflective environment for visitors is Dachau Concentration Camp in Munich Germany. Admission to the grounds of this camp is free to visitors and upon entry, visitors are welcomed at an information center where they are able to purchase audio guides to be used on a self-guided tour. The audio guide was available for about $3 USD and half of that was a down payment that was given back when the audio guide was returned. After purchasing the guide, they were able to take the tour at their pace and really learn and reflect at each point on the tour. The grounds were well-kept, and it was easy to picture what it would have looked like during the Holocaust. During the tour, visitors enter a museum with extensive information including stories from survivors, belongings of victims and information about Dachau, the Holocaust and World War II. The first section on the audio guide included proper practices for visiting this site including being respectful to the grounds and those around you. Overall, the other visitors there were quiet and seemed to be just as impacted as I was throughout the tour. I left that site with a better grasp on what actually happened at that camp and a strong feeling of remembrance. I was able to reflect on how I as an individual could make a positive impact to prevent something. Overall, I learned so much more than just the history and it showed me how truly important these sites can be. RECOMMENDATIONSAs a future PR professional, I have taken on Lockerbie as a case study into how the site of a disaster or tragedy can make itself known as a tourist destination if it chooses to do so. While some sites may not want an increase in traffic due to tourism, this is a hypothetical that any site of disaster or tragedy can use if it chooses to market itself to tourists. After analyzing these three categories of dark tourism and popular sites associated with each through the moral and public relations lens, I have developed three recommendations for Lockerbie to implement with the Lockerbie Air Disaster Sites. Recommendation 1: Creation of a Visitor WebsiteThe creation of a visitor website is another way that people can connect with the Lockerbie Disaster Sites and educate themselves on the tragedy. The site should include visitor information including the list of memorials to see, where to stay and how to act respectfully at each memorial and around the city. Being such a small town in the Scottish countryside, this website could also include a list of restaurants to see and other popular spots in the town, so that visitors can get to know Lockerbie as not only the place of a horrible tragedy, but a town filled with history and character. This site should also include information about the Lockerbie Air Disaster, what happened, what the implications of the tragedy were and any online archives available through sites such as the Syracuse University library or other sources.Potential visitors could use this website to understand what they should expect on their visit. They can learn about each memorial and what its significance is so that they are able to put things into context when they arrive and get the most out of their visit. Those who are unable to physically visit will be able to connect with the memorial sites and learn more about the tragedy online as well as being able to see and experience the archives from wherever they are. Since this website would be primarily made up of a retelling of history, it would not have to be updated constantly and therefore would not be hard to manage. However, as an official website, it could include the most accurate information about the tragedy as well as first-hand accounts of those who lived in the town during that time, making it a trustworthy resource for those who are looking to visit the town or just want to know more.Recommendation 2: Journalist VisitsOne effective method of not only promotion, but education of each site is journalistic visits. Each site was the subject of multiple articles and blog posts where writers who had visited not only shared that experience but explained the history and significance of the site. The storytelling capabilities that journalists have is powerful and can often influence a reader’s decision and in the case of Lockerbie, a travel decision. Inviting journalists to visit Lockerbie and having these journalists experience the Lockerbie Air Disaster sites first-hand, will give them a proper platform to educate the public about what happened on that tragic night and their authentic stories might encourage others to visit in order to reflect and continue learning about the event.Not only are news articles about a site a good way to educate the public about what happened at a specific destination, but they are also an effective way to memorialize and remember the event that took place. Many of the sites are the subjects of articles written and published around the anniversary of the event. This is especially true of Ground Zero. Every year on and around September 11th, journalists from across the country pay their respects to the victims and their families by sharing articles with their own personal anecdotes about visiting the memorial as well as stories and quotes from others who have visited, survivors and families of victims.Recommendation 3: Provide Educational Materials Around Each SiteI was given a tour of Lockerbie by a professor at Syracuse, Larry Mason, who had students that were killed in the attack. He had done extensive research on the incident and was able to tell us the significance of each location as well as personal anecdotes about his students and their families. This was incredibly helpful in learning more about the tragedy and putting everything into context. This also helped me to feel closer to the victims in order to better remember and pay my respects to them. I would not have gotten as much out of this visit had we not had this professor sharing his stories and educating us about the event.By providing educational resources around each site whether that is a pamphlet that visitors can pick up somewhere in town or a sign or posting of some sort at each different location, guests can learn throughout their visit and really put what happened into context with history and the location. Experts can be brought in to provide accurate information and professors, such as the one who conducted my tour, and the family and friends of victims can provide stories about their experiences as well as anecdotes about those who were affected. This information can create a more meaningful connection between a visitor and the event and victims of the event and ultimately increases reflection and remembrance. These resources could even include videos of those who were residents of Lockerbie at the time as well as experts on the event such as Professor Mason. These three recommendations are ways that Lockerbie could establish itself as a tourist destination while maintaining respect and staying in line with the three main purposes of dark tourism – Education, Remembrance and Reflection. These recommendations have proven effective by other dark tourist sites and provide visitors with resources to learn more about each site and what happened there, helping to put it into context with the location and history. These resources can also be used to remember the victims and allow visitors to get to know them better and pay their respects. CONCLUSIONThere are many arguments both for and against the idea of dark tourism. While some may argue that dark tourism is simply a way to capitalize of the death and destruction of others and leads to voyeurism, many scholars would say that it can be an important and beneficial category of travel if intentions are good and behaviors are respectful These industry experts believe that exploring the sites of disasters or tragedies in importance in the education, remembrance and reflection of those events. It is important to learn and remember in order to prevent the past from repeating itself. Media and pop culture have led to a significant rise in this kind of tourism. Shows such as Netflix’s Dark Tourist and HBO’s Chernobyl have sparked interest in not only those specific sites and destinations featured, but in dark tourism as a whole. People become interested in these locations after seeing them on their screens and are fascinated by the idea of traveling to a place where tragedy or disaster has occurred in order to better understand these events and put them into historical context. This type of tourism will continue rising as new shows highlighting different destinations are produced and released. This projected rise brings up an important question. How can other sites like these ones that are not established as tourist destinations can do so in a way that is respectful and fulfills the purposes behind dark tourism.The significance and history of most sites of tragedy and disaster mean that establishment and promotion as a tourist destination happens almost naturally. They are places that the majority of the public typically know about because of the magnitude of what took place at each. However, many of these places have websites and social media channels that not only work as an effective method of awareness and promotion, but they can use these platforms to continue education about the event and its impacts as well on individuals that were directly affected. Being official pages, these contain the most accurate and unbiased information. People who are conducting research but are unable to physically visit the location can find detailed information on these sites and channels.Journalist visits can be another effective way to raise awareness about a location or event in order to help establish it as a tourist destination. Storytelling, especially by those who have physically visited a location or by those who were most directly affected, can be a powerful way to share information and influence a certain behavior or action. These types of articles get a lot of attention and viewership surrounding the anniversary of the event and can be used to not only educate readers about the location and its history, but also to share their first-hand experience in remembering and reflecting upon the tragedy or disaster. These pieces typically share with honesty the solemnity and sadness felt when visiting these destinations and respect is paid to the victims. Providing educational materials at each site is essential to creating a proper dark tourism experience. Many sites have museums where information and artifacts are on display to guests, but those that don’t typically provide visitors with a pamphlet or have postings and signage that includes information about the location, tells a story about the tragedy or disaster that occurred there and pays respects to victims that suffered or were lost. Being able to learn about the destination and the event that took place while standing in the spot where it happened can be a powerful thing and really puts a lot into context. While establishing the site of a major tragedy or disaster has the risk of visitors acting disrespectfully, that can be avoided with proper messaging. It is the responsibility of dark tourist sites and organizations to provide those engaging in this kind of tourism with a set of behaviors to follow and avoid in order to ensure that people are acting with respect and truly understanding the significance behind these places. This messaging should be available on all sites and platforms as well as at the destination itself. It is the responsibility of visitors to not only follow these rules but hold others accountable for doing so as well. As a growing sector of the travel industry, it is important to never forget the purposes of dark tourism. It helps people to learn about history, specifically the dark parts, in order to keep the past from repeating itself and tragedy and disasters from occurring again. It also works to keep the memories of the victims alive, so people can pay their respects. Dark tourism can be incredibly important and beneficial when activities surrounding this kind of tourism are done with the main purposes – Education, Remembrance and Reflection – in mind.Sources Cited and ConsultedOxford Dictionary . (n.d.). Tourism . Retrieved from Atomic Bomb Dome. (n.d.). Retrieved from the Memorial: National September 11 Memorial & Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved from : National September 11 Memorial & Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved from , L. (n.d.). Retrieved from Heritage. (2017, May 12). The Manhattan Project. Retrieved from . (n.d.). Permanent Exhibitions. Retrieved from . (n.d.). Visiting. Retrieved from Staff. (2018, November 16). Khmer Rouge: Cambodia's years of brutality.?BBC. Retrieved from , M. (2016, March 9). 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