‘Shining a Digital Light on the Dark’: Harnessing Online Media to Improve the Dark Tourism Experience

Bolan, Peter; Simone-Charteris, Maria

doi:10.1057/978-1-137-47566-4_30

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In fact, tourists are no longer passive recipients of information. Instead, they actively engage in electronic peer-to-peer and word-of-mouth product recommendations (20). The modern traveler now eagerly uses social media pre-trip to inform their decisions and increasingly uses such platforms during their vacation to enhance their experience and share aspects of their experience with others.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and Ranking of Value Creation Indicators in Health Tourism in Iran (by a mixed exploratory approach)

Mohammadesmaeil

Kianmehr

2022

Preprint

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Background and purpose: health tourism not only leads to the strengthening of the scientific, political, social and regional sector, it has many economic benefits. Therefore, in order to increase the economic prosperity of the country and increase the health tourism industry in Iran and to achieve a suitable position among the countries of the region, the identification of value-creating factors in the tourism industry was determined with a mixed exploratory approach. Research method: This research was conducted in the year 2022 using a mixed exploratory method. In the first stage, key indicators were identified and categorized through interviews with experts in the field of health tourism. Then, based on hierarchical analysis, priority and weights were calculated. Then, in the second stage, a questionnaire was designed, after validation by 384 of foreign national parents who had a sick child and referred to the children’s medical health tourism department between 2015 and 2022, it was completed and the results were determined based on descriptive and analytical statistics. Findings: Key indicators were obtained from the results of interviews with experts, which were classified into 4 general categories and 16 components. The results showed that the financial dimension and the growth and learning dimension were the most effective indicators in health tourism with the highest average of 3.7524 and 3.7447, respectively, and internal processes with an average of 3.5784 were the least effective indicators from the point of view of the studied community. Also, the results of Harmesir’s t-test showed that 4 financial indicators, customer, internal processes and growth and learning have a significant relationship with creating value in health tourism. Conclusion: One of the important factors in medical tourism is the factors related to medical services. The financial aspect and the cost of treatment, the level of services and credibility of medical centers and treatment staff, and the existence of laws and government support in the destination country are important and decisive issues in attracting tourists. Therefore, it is recommended to create added value in health tourism by removing challenges such as the limitations of payment methods, the existence of middlemen between health tourists and medical centers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and Ranking of Value Creation Indicators in Health Tourism in Iran (by a mixed exploratory approach)

Mohammadesmaeil

Kianmehr

2022

Preprint

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“…Moreover, studies have investigated the role of communication technologies, such as social media platforms and mobile apps, in enhancing pilgrims' connectivity and information sharing during their journeys (Bolan and Simone-Charteris 2018). Researchers have explored how digital communication tools facilitate real-time updates, guidance, and support for pilgrims, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among participants (Ahmad 2023).…”

Section: Pilgrimages and Communication Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Media and the Spiritual Journey: The Place of Digital Technology in Enriching the Experience

Hussain,

Wang

2024

Religions

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This qualitative study explores the utilization of social media among Pakistani pilgrims during spiritual journeys and investigates its impact on their pilgrimage experiences. Thirty Pakistani pilgrims who had embarked on spiritual journeys to various religious sites were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the interview transcripts, revealing five main stages of social media usage: pre-trip preparation, real-time updates and guidance, community building and support, sharing experiences and insights, and post-trip reflection and engagement. At each stage, social media played diverse roles, including providing information and support, fostering connections with fellow pilgrims, sharing personal experiences, and facilitating spiritual dialogue. This explorative study underscores the significance of social media in enhancing the pilgrimage experience for Pakistani pilgrims, serving as a valuable tool for information dissemination, community building, spiritual support, and personal reflection throughout the pilgrimage journey. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how social media shapes pilgrims’ experiences and fosters their spiritual growth, emphasizing the need for further research to explore the nuanced dynamics of social media usage in the context of pilgrimage. Overall, this study sheds light on the unique role of social media in the spiritual journeys of Pakistani pilgrims and highlights its implications for pilgrimage practices and the broader discourse on religious tourism.

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“…Holmes, and the Manson Family. For a more global experience, there is even a serial killer app which allow users to find serial murder sites around the globe and potentially develop self-directed murder tours (Bolan & Simone-Charteris, 2018). These types of attractions often sell themselves as family fun that is entertaining, educational, and well-researched.…”

Section: Touring the Scene Of The Crimementioning

confidence: 99%

Touring female crime: power and perceptions

Adie

Snell

2020

Journal of Heritage Tourism

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Popular interest in crime is substantial and longstanding, driving the development of crime-based dark tourism attractions. The appeal of these sites can partly be explained through the understanding of functions of transgression as tours provide their audiences with infotainment. These representations of crime both reflect and shape social and cultural perceptions of the nature of offending and victimisation. There is, however, a significant gap in relation to the discussion of these crime-based dark tourism activities with almost no engagement with gender at these sites. To fill this gap, this paper presents a conceptual discussion on tourism to sites of female criminal activity, drawing parallels to similar male crime locations. Examination of online advertising for murder walking tours in the UK reveals gendered power dynamics wherein traditional, western gender roles are enforced through the removal of agency from women who engage in more violent crimes while simultaneously fetishising women as victims of violence, especially sexual. This is evident in the absence of female serial killers within organized dark tours, which often focus specifically on this sexual violence. Thus, the tourist activities that revolve around dark heritage sites, especially those that deal with violent criminal activity, reinforce gendered stereotypes around "acceptable" transgression.

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‘Shining a Digital Light on the Dark’: Harnessing Online Media to Improve the Dark Tourism Experience

Cited by 9 publications

References 24 publications

Identification and Ranking of Value Creation Indicators in Health Tourism in Iran (by a mixed exploratory approach)

Identification and Ranking of Value Creation Indicators in Health Tourism in Iran (by a mixed exploratory approach)

Social Media and the Spiritual Journey: The Place of Digital Technology in Enriching the Experience

Touring female crime: power and perceptions

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