An Investigation of the Differences that Exist between Generations in Relation to Supporting Dark Tourism in Northern Ireland

Abstract

In dark tourism research there is a scarcity of literature that discusses Northern Ireland as a dark tourism destination. This research study was undertaken to investigate the difference in the level of support for dark tourism in Northern Ireland between the generations who lived through the Troubles and those who heard about them. This study employed a qualitative research method based on the completion of focus groups consisting of Protestants and Catholics from different generations. This allowed the authors to gather the views of different Northern Ireland residents' groups. The research found that the views of the younger generation (aged 18-35) and the middle-aged generation (36-55) are similar. These generations believe that the Troubles should be utilised for the purpose of dark tourism as this will benefit Northern Ireland financially and socially. In contrast, the older generation (aged 56-75+) believes that the Troubles are too recent to be exploited for dark tourism development. This is in line with the literature on the topic that was consulted as part of this research.

Commemoration or commodification? A stakeholder’s discourse around the establishment of the martyrdom museum

“…Whereas Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is one of the most recognized dark tourism destinations, at the same time is a place, where tourists tend to behave disrespectfully (Bowman & Pezzullo, 2009), which is at a very distance from the highlighted necessity of commemoration. Simultaneously, the appropriate management are relevant to not allow to transform the visiting into "spectacle" caused by the overloaded commercialization (Simone-Charteris et al, 2018). The results do not converge with the previous observations, that at some time this dark tourism narration will be generally supported (e.g.…”

Chernobyl

“…In addition, it is acknowledged that tourist motivations vary depending on numerous demographic factors, most importantly -on age and gender (Remoaldo et al, 2014;Simone-Charteris et al, 2018;Yousaf et al, 2018). Naturally, people from diverse demographic backgrounds can possess diff erent motivations for visiting An International Interdisciplinary Journal the same destination (Rittichainuwat, 2008).…”

“…Additionally, the relatively close distance makes a trip to Chernobyl aff ordable to young travellers and allows them to realistically consider such a trip. All this creates a well reasoned context for the research, in which motivations to visit Chernobyl are analysed on the basis of gender, that might have a specifi c importance in regards of similar destinations (Remoaldo et al, 2014;Simone-Charteris et al, 2018). Th ese factors create a consistent background for examination of push motivations of young people towards travelling to Chernobyl.…”

Living in theWakeof Rural Irish Troubles: building an institution for sustainable peace through emotive out-of-place tourism

“…Boyd suggests that Northern Ireland has developed normal products, but dark tourism continues to be utilised by communities that have been involved in conflict. Simone-Charteris et al (2018) examine the generational support for dark tourism in Northern Ireland, however the significance of domestic visitors to dark tourism sites has received little attention in recent years. The Tourism NI report Northern Ireland: Domestic Tourism Strategy (2020, p. 1) concludes that 'the domestic market is a critical part of Northern Ireland's tourism economy'.…”

“…Dark tourism and political tourism have been largely investigated in the urban context (Causevic & Lynch, 2011;Simone-Charteris et al, 2018). For example, Skinner's (2016) work on embodied (and to some extent liminal) guided tours of the Falls Road in Belfast.…”