Tourism and Wars; how the wars have motivated us to travel
Author: Patrik Forsstrom
0 Commentries
Abstract
This study discusses the motivations for tourists who visit destinations related with conflicts and wars, with a case study of motivations for travelling to the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ).
Keywords: Dark tourism, War tourism, Travel motivators
The impacts that wars have had for mankind are beyond explanatory. It has changed the way we live and how we look at things with a different perspective. We hear about it in the news every day, and for some of us it brings interest to travel to these areas. War tourists travel for different motives with the notion of the dangers that follow. They visit on-going or recently ended war-areas, and seek for information that the average tourist would not find. Lennon and Foley (2000: 9) states that these kinds of tourists are the 'vanguard of dark tourism' and possess limited political, social and economical significance. The lack of information about these travellers and their high interest in wars remains a mystery.
The objective of this essay is to have a closer look at the motives of tourists travelling to areas linked with conflicts and wars. What drives them to travel and why they want to relive past or present wars? With an example of the Korean DMZ, conclusions are made to examine the motivations of the tourists and how managers should be able to cope with the needs of the tourists.
The knowledge that governments have about the opportunities of tourism, and how they could develop their history of wars for tourists is well-known. The different concepts and theories of motives for dark tourism lead to the decision that managers have to make to promote war-torn destinations to the dark tourist-type traveller's needs. Dunkleys (2006) 11 typologies (Contemplation, Special Interest, Thrill/Risk seeking, Validation, Authenticity, Self-discovery, Iconic sites, Convenience, Morbid Curiosity, Pilgrimage and Remembrance & Empathy) and statement that the dark tourist type does not travel for a single motivation is related to Hendersons (2006:269) argument that that the challenge for managers is to find a balance between education and entertainment while providing an appropriate experience for visitors who come with different needs and expectations.
War tourism is one of the seven typologies associated with dark tourism (Dunkley, 2006). Although there is a wide range of research made on dark tourism in general, the motives of war tourism or 'hot war tourism' is relatively unknown. Even though it has existed for a long time (Ryan (2007:160) states that hot war tourism had its high point after the First World War), it is yet unclear why hot war tourists travel. Based on the assumption that they travel purely for excitement would be understandable, but in fact you can make the argument that they travel for the greater good in finding new areas for tourism. There are still a lot of untouched opportunities for tourism, and with the help of hot war travellers, more destinations can not only be discovered, but it lays the foundation for independent travellers if the researched area is suitable for independent travelling after the war or conflict is over (Piekarz 2006: 163).
Looking at the results from the case study made by Bigley et al. about motivations for war-related tourism in the Korean DMZ, the stereotypical tourist who travel to regions associated with wars in the past is well documented; he/she is well-educated, has a clear sense of what is going on and is fine with the possible dangers that can come across. The main purpose for the travel was leisure (62%) (Bigley et al. 2010: 383 - Table 2) while curiosity, reality and wanting to know more were the three most popular motivators (Bigley et al. 2010:385 - Table 3). Taking into note that activity in the DMZ is relatively quiet, the results would be different if conflicts would be on-going.
The areas we associate with danger can be misleading sometimes, as was the case in the Korean DMZ. 'Hot war tourism' is mainly allocated with on-going wars or the remains of a war or conflict right after it ended, therefore research is difficult to collect. Hot war tourists travel when there is something going on and the excitement that comes with it compels them to neglect any kind of danger. Empirical research is hard to find on hot war tourism, and based on the research mentioned above a conclusion can be made that the motivations and needs of the war tourist type varies according to the activity and conflicts on the region.
Bigley, J et al. (2010) Motivations for War-related Tourism: A Case of DMZ Visitors in Korea, Tourism Geographies, 12:3, 371-394 - Available at: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a924491432~db=all~jumptype=rss
Dunkley, R (2006) the 'Thanatourist': A Fascination with Death and Atrocity? -University of Wales Institute, Cardiff - Available at: http://pages.123-reg.co.uk/pstone1-995478/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/riadunkleypresentationTSeventlondonoct2006.pdf
Ryan, C (2007) Battlefield Tourism: History, Place and Interpretation, Advances in Tourism Research Series - Elsevier
This study discusses the motivations for tourists who visit destinations related with conflicts and wars, with a case study of motivations for travelling to the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ).
Keywords: Dark tourism, War tourism, Travel motivators
The impacts that wars have had for mankind are beyond explanatory. It has changed the way we live and how we look at things with a different perspective. We hear about it in the news every day, and for some of us it brings interest to travel to these areas. War tourists travel for different motives with the notion of the dangers that follow. They visit on-going or recently ended war-areas, and seek for information that the average tourist would not find. Lennon and Foley (2000: 9) states that these kinds of tourists are the 'vanguard of dark tourism' and possess limited political, social and economical significance. The lack of information about these travellers and their high interest in wars remains a mystery.
The objective of this essay is to have a closer look at the motives of tourists travelling to areas linked with conflicts and wars. What drives them to travel and why they want to relive past or present wars? With an example of the Korean DMZ, conclusions are made to examine the motivations of the tourists and how managers should be able to cope with the needs of the tourists.
The knowledge that governments have about the opportunities of tourism, and how they could develop their history of wars for tourists is well-known. The different concepts and theories of motives for dark tourism lead to the decision that managers have to make to promote war-torn destinations to the dark tourist-type traveller's needs. Dunkleys (2006) 11 typologies (Contemplation, Special Interest, Thrill/Risk seeking, Validation, Authenticity, Self-discovery, Iconic sites, Convenience, Morbid Curiosity, Pilgrimage and Remembrance & Empathy) and statement that the dark tourist type does not travel for a single motivation is related to Hendersons (2006:269) argument that that the challenge for managers is to find a balance between education and entertainment while providing an appropriate experience for visitors who come with different needs and expectations.
War tourism is one of the seven typologies associated with dark tourism (Dunkley, 2006). Although there is a wide range of research made on dark tourism in general, the motives of war tourism or 'hot war tourism' is relatively unknown. Even though it has existed for a long time (Ryan (2007:160) states that hot war tourism had its high point after the First World War), it is yet unclear why hot war tourists travel. Based on the assumption that they travel purely for excitement would be understandable, but in fact you can make the argument that they travel for the greater good in finding new areas for tourism. There are still a lot of untouched opportunities for tourism, and with the help of hot war travellers, more destinations can not only be discovered, but it lays the foundation for independent travellers if the researched area is suitable for independent travelling after the war or conflict is over (Piekarz 2006: 163).
Looking at the results from the case study made by Bigley et al. about motivations for war-related tourism in the Korean DMZ, the stereotypical tourist who travel to regions associated with wars in the past is well documented; he/she is well-educated, has a clear sense of what is going on and is fine with the possible dangers that can come across. The main purpose for the travel was leisure (62%) (Bigley et al. 2010: 383 - Table 2) while curiosity, reality and wanting to know more were the three most popular motivators (Bigley et al. 2010:385 - Table 3). Taking into note that activity in the DMZ is relatively quiet, the results would be different if conflicts would be on-going.
The areas we associate with danger can be misleading sometimes, as was the case in the Korean DMZ. 'Hot war tourism' is mainly allocated with on-going wars or the remains of a war or conflict right after it ended, therefore research is difficult to collect. Hot war tourists travel when there is something going on and the excitement that comes with it compels them to neglect any kind of danger. Empirical research is hard to find on hot war tourism, and based on the research mentioned above a conclusion can be made that the motivations and needs of the war tourist type varies according to the activity and conflicts on the region.
Bigley, J et al. (2010) Motivations for War-related Tourism: A Case of DMZ Visitors in Korea, Tourism Geographies, 12:3, 371-394 - Available at: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a924491432~db=all~jumptype=rss
Dunkley, R (2006) the 'Thanatourist': A Fascination with Death and Atrocity? -University of Wales Institute, Cardiff - Available at: http://pages.123-reg.co.uk/pstone1-995478/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/riadunkleypresentationTSeventlondonoct2006.pdf
Ryan, C (2007) Battlefield Tourism: History, Place and Interpretation, Advances in Tourism Research Series - Elsevier