Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Why Dark Tourism Draws Visitors to Sites of Tragedy
Dark tourism means visiting places connected to sad, violent or criminal events.
Some people visit these places to learn what happened and remember victims.
Others may be curious or attracted by unusual experiences.
Examples include war memorials, former prisons, concentration camps and neighborhoods known for crime.
Tourism companies sometimes create tours to make money or offer new experiences.
In Spain, a proposed tour about drug trafficking was banned by the regional government.
These tours can help people understand history when they provide context and show respect.
But selfies, entertainment-focused marketing or praise for criminals can hurt victims and local residents.
The article says dark tourism should be handled carefully and ethically.
Dark tourism involves visiting places associated with death, violence, crime, conflict or human-rights abuses.
Laureano Oubiña’s proposed drug-trafficking boat tour in Galicia was banned for infringing tourism laws.
Destinations range from concentration camps and war memorials to prisons, crime neighborhoods and criminal-history tours.
Supporters say ethical dark tourism can promote education, reflection, social awareness and local economic activity.
Critics warn that commercialization can trivialize suffering, disrespect victims, or glorify criminals and violent places.
- Who
- Tourists, tourism operators, local authorities, victims and residents of places associated with crime, violence or tragedy; the article also discusses Laureano Oubiña and criminologist Alexandre Lacassagne.
- What
- The article examines dark tourism, its different forms, its growing popularity, and the ethical debate over its effects.
- When
- The article refers to a proposed tour launched during the summer and to the recent growth of dark tourism.
- Where
- Examples include Galicia’s Arousa estuary, Spain, Auschwitz, Alcatraz, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Colombia and London.
- Why
- People are drawn by curiosity, remembrance, education, reflection and attempts to understand violence, while the tourism industry seeks new experiences and economic opportunities.
Educational and Economic Value
Respect, Memory and Victim Protection
Purpose of visiting
Educational and Economic Value
Visitors may seek to understand the causes of violence, remember victims, learn history and reflect on traumatic events.
Respect, Memory and Victim Protection
A focus on curiosity or entertainment can turn places of suffering into attractions and weaken their memorial purpose.
Tourism and local economies
Educational and Economic Value
Dark tourism can provide economic opportunities and demonstrate innovation by creating new experiences for travelers.
Respect, Memory and Victim Protection
Commercialization may prioritize tourism revenue over mourning, healing and the needs of people connected to the sites.
Tours about criminals and crime
Educational and Economic Value
Guided routes can challenge stigmas and offer alternative perspectives on neighborhoods associated with crime, such as Mexico City’s Tepito tour.
Respect, Memory and Victim Protection
Products that follow criminals’ footsteps or present them favorably can glorify offenders and cause additional suffering to victims and residents.
- Definition
- Dark tourism is the practice of visiting places marked by death, violence and crime.
- Galician tour
- Laureano Oubiña proposed a boat tour through the Arousa estuary focused on the region’s drug-trafficking history, with lunch included.
- Government action
- Galicia’s regional government banned the proposed tour for infringing tourism laws.
- Types of sites
- Examples include concentration camps, memorials, war sites, historic prisons, high-crime neighborhoods and locations associated with famous criminals.
- Spanish examples
- Sites and routes include Guernica, Belchite, Spanish Civil War bunkers, and Zugarramurdi.
- Potential benefits
- When managed ethically, dark tourism can support local economies, raise social awareness and encourage learning and reflection.
- Main risks
- Tourism can trivialize remembrance, disrespect victims, harm local communities or justify and glorify criminals.