The role of dark commemorative and sport events in peaceful coexistence in the Western Balkans

Abstract

In order to analyse the ways in which problematic ethno-national behaviour at dark events in the Western Balkans undermines the transition from conflict, to post conflict and then peaceful societies, this research employed a sociological discourse analysis to critique the role dark events play in post-conflict tourism development and peaceful coexistence. Accordingly, by combining previous analyses of dark commemorative events with a new analysis of sport events, this research explains the relationship between event tourism and 16th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) focused on peace, justice and strong institutions. This media-based analysis shows that dark commemorative and sport events share similar historical contexts, dissonant heritage and the dark leisure practices of attendees. These dark events attract tourism flows across national boundaries in the region, as well as including more widely dispersed diasporas, and international media and politicians. The prevalence of dark events in the region, which feature strongly in tourism flows, require significant attention in order to promote sustainable development. The findings of this research can be used to develop future research into the relationship between dark events and SDG16, using methods that build on this exploratory study and the new model of dark events that it provides.

Does a visitor of dark sites have a dark personality?

“…First, we expected that all Dark Tetrad traits will be related to dark tourism site preference (H1). As mentioned earlier, these sites have always frightened and fascinated people (Brud et al, 2020;Schreiber & Marcus, 2020) and can even be associated with deviant behaviour (Šuligoj & Kennell, 2021). This is generally consistent with previous findings about characteristics of dark traits, such as: callousness, interpersonal manipulation and exploitation, impulsivity and reinforcement of various self-issues (e.g., Back, 2018;Jones & Paulhus, 2011;Paulhus & Jones, 2015;Paulhus & Williams, 2002).…”

“…Consequently, many (military) cemeteries, charnel houses and other 'sacred' sites stand as evidence to the numerousness of victims and their national heterogeneity, as well as to contemporary attitudes towards the victims of war, which has changed over time. Many sites have become attractive to (international) visitors (dark tourism), although this issue has been politicized and consequently, sharply divides societies in post-Yugoslav countries (Kennell et al, 2018;Naef, 2019;Šuligoj & Kennell, 2021). Research into the dark tourism in post-conflict Bosnia-Herzegovina (Causevic & Lynch, 2013;Wise & Mulec, 2014) and Croatia (Baillie, 2013;Goulding & Domic, 2010;Šuligoj, 2016 dominate, while Serbian commemorative practices and related dark tourism tend to be overlooked by the domestic and international scholars.…”

“…Young visitors who were not involved in the conflict are a particularly appropriate target group for the preservation of the memory of the victims and for the development of dark tourism (Šuligoj & Jovanović, 2019). Šuligoj & Kennell (2021) highlighted dark leisure practices of participants (e.g., ethno-nationalism, intolerance, physical violence) that may characterize attendance at dark commemorative events. While it is difficult to attribute these problematic behaviours to all visitors, it is nonetheless interesting to note the nature of these visitors' personalities.…”

Tourism policy and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa

“…In line with the second position, many previous studies into tourism and peace have considered tourism development to be a part of the “peace dividend” – the significant economic and social benefits that arise during the post-conflict period (Šuligoj and Kennell, 2022). This has been shown in destinations as diverse as Sri Lanka (Fernando et al.…”

“…This is in line with the relative paucity of research into political and governance aspects of sustainable development in tourism, which predominantly focuses on environmental and social issues (dos Anjos and Kennell, 2019). Research has highlighted the potential of niche and special interest tourism to contribute to peace (Šuligoj and Kennell, 2022), but the relationship between tourism policies and peace is less understood.…”