Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
Open Access

Community Perceptions of Dark Tourism Development

Chryso Panayidou^{* *}Correspondence: Chryso Panayidou, Department of Tourism and Travel, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus, Email:

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Introduction

This short commentary examines the intricate relationship between dark tourism and local communities in leisure destinations, focusing on Cyprus. It delves into the main issues of dark tourism development community perceptions, ethical implications and the potential impacts on local culture and economy.

Dark tourism is travelling to locations connected to tragedy, death and suffering. It has been suggested that dark sites are a significant part of a nation’s heritage. It has been demonstrated that there exist diverse perceptions of the local communities in the development of dark tourism. This type of tourism offers potential as well as difficulties in Cyprus; a country which has a long history of sites connected to conflict, grief and tragedy. The differing opinions and views of the local community are based on the fact that the island can actually draw potential tourists interested in the history and tragic past events that have taken place on the island. The island could go beyond the beach and recreational activities that appeal to the tourists of the island. The reason behind this are the positive economic benefits that locals foresee. For some locals though dark tourism could mean commercializing the dark events and appear to disregard the memory of those that died from the tragedies. This contradiction highlights how crucial community participation is to the development process of dark tourism so that it may coexist with local values and expectations.

Description

Ethical implications

One major apprehension with dark tourism is its ethical ramifications and its moral concerns. The commercialization of locations linked to death raises ethical concerns about making money off such tragedies. Locals in Cyprus are concerned about possible exploitation and the insensitivity that may go along with such developments. Panayidou et al. stress the significance of treating these locations with respect in both portrayal and understanding. This means more than just satisfying morbid curiosity; it also means offering commemorative, educational and instructional value. To address ethical issues and win over the community, narratives must be truthful, considerate and inclusive of a variety of viewpoints.

Cultural and economic impacts

Local areas may experience major cultural and economic changes as a result of the growth of dark tourism. Dark tourism has the ability to economically diversify Cyprus's tourism industry by drawing travelers drawn to the island's intricate past. The local economy can gain from this diversification if it results in higher revenue, the development of jobs and better infrastructure. Concerns exist, meanwhile, regarding dark tourism obscuring other facets of the region's cultural legacy. Locals fear that a preponderance of attention to tragic events may skew how their community is portrayed and undermine community pride. This could result in a limited understanding of the local identity that emphasizes tragedy over other aspects of cultural heritage.

Sustainable development and community involvement

Panayidou et al., support a sustainable approach for the development of dark tourism, with a compelling emphasis on community involvement throughout the entire process. With the aim of elucidating local concerns but also make sure that developments consider their principles, their needs and beliefs, community involvement shall be an essential aspect of this process.

Additionally, local communities shall play a more functional part in the development, planning, as well as organization of dark tourism destinations. Moreover, this engaged approach shall provide a sense of pride for the local community. Based on Panayidou et al., and light it might lead to the creation of tourism offerings that respect the local way of life while tourists can still be involved in recreational activities.

Conclusion

The short commentary provides a comprehensive analysis of the connections between the development in dark tourism and the attitudes, viewpoints and beliefs of the local community in Cyprus. It highlights the significance of ethical concerns, community engagement and sustainable methods. By focusing local matters and ensuring that images of dark sites are respectful and informative, stakeholders and/or local authorities may develop this type of tourism that supports both the local economy and the destination's cultural heritage. In many locations where leisure is the main reason for visitation, such as Cyprus, the development of dark tourism is growing more common.