Dark diaspora tourism: experiences and meanings in liminal spaces

Abstract

Few tourism sites possess the combined attributes of dark tourism and diaspora tourism, and journeys to these liminal spaces can unearth complex and nuanced emotions. While previous studies have added knowledge to the experiences of diaspora tourists, little is known about the liminal experiences at dark diaspora tourism sites. While most studies attempt to explore the experiences of tourists to destinations, there is neoteric interest in understanding the hermeneutics of these experiences by offering insights into the contextual interpretation of events. To investigate these, we integrate liminality and stimulus organism theories within a framework of interpretive phenomenology methodology. Forty interviews were conducted with dark diaspora tourists. The study revealed minor and major themes including enlightenment, visceral conflicts, identity dilemmas, and renegotiation of diasporic experiences. Ultimately, it is only by probing the interpretations of dark diaspora experiences from visitors’ own narratives that deep concealed meanings to liminal experiences can be uncovered. The research indicates that experiences at dark diaspora sites vary and result in diverse effects on individuals’ experiences and subsequent interpretations.

Keywords:

• Liminality
• liminal experience
• liminoid
• dark tourism
• diaspora tourism
• interpretive phenomenology
• emotion
• experience
• identity
• stimulus organism response

Disclosure statement

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

Data availability statement

Raw data were generated in Ghana. Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Felix Elvis Otoo

Felix Elvis Otoo, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Macau University of Science and Technology. His research interests are tourism diaspora tourism, senior tourism, and destination management.

Esi Akyere Mensah

Dr. Esi Akyere Mensah (FHEA) is a senior lecturer and Head, Department, Innovation and Consultancy at Ghana Communication Technology University (GTUC). She has a Ph.D in Tourism Management from the University of Cape Coast and MSc. in Development Management from the University of Agder in Norway. Her research interests include volunteer tourism, sustainable tourism, migration, and development issues in emerging economies.