Paper short abstract:

Dark tourism is a concept from developed societies and associated academic discourse. It rarely enjoys support from local tourism associations and communities. Study suggests "phoenix tourism" as an ascription of the process of tourism development after the conflict.

Paper long abstract:

Dark tourism is defined as "visitation to places where tragedies or historically noteworthy death has occurred and that continue to impact our lives" Tarlow 2005:48). Inherently, dark tourism conceptualises the consequence of a long-term conflict. This paper addresses the under-studied area of dark tourism in this context, focusing on its relevance in a re-emerging tourism economics. The fieldwork follows a qualitative methodological approach required in order to gather complex information concerning dark tourism issue in a post-conflict society. It involves in-depth interviews with tourism decision makers and tour providers and participant observation of the tours and sites in Northern Ireland.

Dark tourism is evidently a concept which emerges from a developed western society perspective and associated academic discourse. However, this type of tourism ascription rarely enjoys support from the governing bodies, official tourism associations and local communities in the specific society. This research points to polarised understanding of the concept between academic and developed societies on one side and tourism destination stakeholders on the other, who assess the concept as being detrimental in a process of destination image formation after a political conflict.

Excluding a small niche segment, this study finds that dark tourism is not a motivator for visiting the destinations. Yet once tourists are there, most of them would pay a visit to "dark tourism" sites. Therefore, "dark tourism" is not a part of the process of image formation after a conflict. The study suggests "phoenix tourism" as image formation tool instead. However, tourist interest in such sites suggests that "dark tourism" is a real chance for local communities to directly participate in tourism development. As it is managed now, tourists do not stay in the area where those sites are located, as they lack appropriate tourism infrastructure. The study concludes that official tourism bodies need to recognise the existence of dark tourism demand, fully integrate the local community in decision making and provide the area with appropriate tourism infrastructure. It will result in community revitalisation and regeneration. Regarding the academic discourse, the study finds the concept of "phoenix tourism" to be more appropriate in the process of re-imaging destinations after the conflict.

Key words: dark tourism, post conflict society, community development, phoenix tourism, Northern Ireland

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