Does emotional engagement matter in dark tourism? Implications drawn from a reflective approach

Σιγάλα, Μαριάννα; Steriopoulos, Effie

doi:10.1080/1743873x.2020.1851697

Cited by 37 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Some of them enjoyed the beauty of the path and others were enthralled by the prospect of taking photos. Tourists visiting dark sites are not only interested in the main attraction; the sounding out environment also helps them enjoy the main attraction and enhances it (Sigala and Steriopoulos, 2021). In addition, we discovered evidence of some participants describing their visits to war sites as harrowing.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extending the memorable tourism experience construct: An investigation of tourists’ memorable dark experiences

Hosseini

Cortés-Macías

Almeida‐García

2022

Journal of Vacation Marketing

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Dark tourism is an important part of tourism at some destinations; however, little is known about the factors that influence the overall dark tourism experience. This research aims to contribute to this existing knowledge gap by improving our understanding of the nature of the dark tourism experience and its formation process. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 tourists in the war zones of Iran, participants were asked to talk about their memorable experiences and why the experience was special to them. Using a grounded theory approach, a theoretical model of memorable dark tourism experiences (MDTEs) was developed and four key factors influencing dark tourism experiences at a destination were identified: learning from dark experiences, spiritual experiences, involvement in activities and emotional experiences. The findings of this study contribute to ongoing efforts in tourism studies to understand the nature of memorable tourism experiences in general and in the context of dark tourism experiences in particular. The theoretical and practical importance of the research results is discussed and various approaches are proposed for future research.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extending the memorable tourism experience construct: An investigation of tourists’ memorable dark experiences

Hosseini

Cortés-Macías

Almeida‐García

2022

Journal of Vacation Marketing

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“…TE is subjective and co-created, derived from interactions between consumers' minds, past experiences, and the staged experience More specifically in iconic sporting brand experiences, visitors may travel long distances to be part of a branded experience, and transformation may be a result of intense engagement (Sigala and Steriopoulos, 2021). For example, loyal sporting fans may follow their favourite teams all around the world to experience the effects of transformation (Gibson et al, 2003).…”

Section: Transformative Service Research Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transformative service research approaches for visitor experiences in major sporting events

Steriopoulos

Ooi

2023

IJEFM

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PurposeThis research conceptualises the hallmark event, Melbourne Cup in Australia, as a major sporting brand experience. While numerous studies have explored consumer engagement and experiences in major sporting events, few research studies highlight the negative issues, such as alcoholism, gambling and violence, that may affect consumer engagement and experience. This article addresses the challenges and opportunities of providing immersive and transformative experiences through transformative service research (TSR) approaches when such negative issues are swirling around.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is conceptual. It uses the example of Melbourne Cup to illuminate aspects of the conceptual framework.FindingsThe article unpacks a myriad of positive and negative immersive brand experiences and contributes a conceptual framework to understand the sporting brand experience phenomenon and shows how authentically responsible marketing approaches can improve the sport spectator experience.Research limitations/implicationsInsights from the extended TSR framework presents implications for various organisations that are involved with strategic destination marketing approaches. It guides key stakeholders to engage in dialogue and collaborate in order to improve the attendee transformative experience. Inviting collaborators will facilitate the exchange of ideas that will improve event organisation. Consistent approaches among hospitality service providers would improve alcohol service and create a safe environment for attendees. The TSR framework guides players of the experience to engage in meaningful dialogue with a common goal to improve consumer wellbeing. Education and training therefore are key elements in the consumer sporting brand experience.Practical implicationsThe adapted TSR framework offers insights to destination marketers such as sporting agencies, tour operators and sporting organisations/clubs. Marketers may promote bigger sporting events and organise tours via travel agencies and ignore key elements that may influence attendee decision. Destination marketing organisations (DMOs) can use the framework to promote effective planning and the key initiatives that the iconic event is involved with. The framework can be used as a guide to manage similar international events. Events of major or mega size and international reputation need specific frameworks that address crowd behaviours of similar sizes.Originality/valueAn extended transformative service approach is being conceptualised for major sporting brand experiences. Practical implications are also highlighted for DMOs when raising the profile of city brands.

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“…There is empirical evidence that emotional engagement plays an important role when visiting dark heritage places (or otherwise engaging with dark history), as it may help visitors to generate meaning (Sigala and Steriopoulos, 2021) and to increase historical understanding, especially historical empathy (Savenije and de Bruijn, 2017). Usually, visitors report a high emotional involvement while being at a dark heritage site (Biran et al, 2011;Nawijn and Fricke, 2015;Bilewicz and Wojcik, 2018).…”

Section: Personal Affectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Know Where You Stand: Affective Effects of Becoming Aware of a Place's National Socialist History

Ries

Schwan

2022

Front. Psychol.

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Visiting historical places can give important impulses regarding education of history, society, and politics. While there does exist extensive research on visitors' experiences at memorial sites, little is known about the impact of everyday places holding dark history. Two experimental studies took place in a research institute, a former women's clinic, where in the time of National Socialist (NS) dictatorship in Germany hundreds of forced sterilizations took place. Historical awareness was manipulated via systematic variation of prior information. We found partial evidence that historical awareness had a negative effect on personal mood. Awareness of the site's NS history had a negative effect on the perceived valence of related photos but did not influence their qualitative description. Also, there was partial evidence that the site itself was perceived less positively and evoked more arousal when participants were aware of its NS history. Possible reasons are discussed.

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Does emotional engagement matter in dark tourism? Implications drawn from a reflective approach

Cited by 37 publications

References 70 publications

Extending the memorable tourism experience construct: An investigation of tourists’ memorable dark experiences

Extending the memorable tourism experience construct: An investigation of tourists’ memorable dark experiences

Transformative service research approaches for visitor experiences in major sporting events

Know Where You Stand: Affective Effects of Becoming Aware of a Place's National Socialist History

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