Uncomfortable and worthy: the role of students’ field trips to dark tourism sites in higher education

ABSTRACT

This article studies the importance of the educational experience of students in dark tourism sites, with a particular focus on post-visit effects after their exposure to dark sites – inner-directed and behavioural activities. Previous studies on the topic are limited, controversial, and reveal that field trips as a compulsory activity do not necessarily induce post-visit effects, but at the same time can provoke greater interest in certain topics, such as research or repeated visits. The study continues the strand of research of post-visit effects after exposure to dark tourism sites of the specific segment – university undergraduates. The study is based on longitudinal data collected after field trips to dark tourism sites in Latvia (2014–2019). In total, 119 Latvian and exchange students participated in field trips during the Dark tourism study course. Students reported about the post-visit effects by using questionnaires based on dark tourism theoretical frameworks. The programme included such dark tourism sites as the KGB Museum, Ghetto Museum, and memorials. The results indicate that students appreciate the educational value of the dark tourism sites and better-designed sites induce more post-visit effects. However, educational gains must be strengthened by stimulating professional knowledge and the will to research independently.

KEYWORDS:

• Dark tourism
• study excursion
• post-visit effects
• dark sites
• experiential learning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ilze Grinfelde

Ilze Grinfelde is Mg.soc.sc and works as lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and as research assistant in Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities research, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera, Latvia. Her research interests are dark tourism, niche tourism, and sustainable regional development.

Linda Veliverronena

Linda Veliverronena is a PhD in media and communication and works as assistant professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences as researcher in Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities research, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera, Latvia. Her research interests focuses on community engagement issues and cultural heritage studies.