Zeitschrift für Tourismusforschung und Gastgewerbe

Tourists’ Perception of Dark Tourism and its Impact on their Emotional Experience and Geopolitical Knowledge: A Comparative Study of Local and Non-local Tourist

Li-Hui Chang

This study aims to understand the causal relationships between tourists’ perception of dark tourism and its impact on their emotional experience and geopolitical knowledge. This study conducts questionnaire survey at two war museums on Kinmen Island and was able to collect 413 usable responses. The result indicates that tourists who visited a dark tourism site are capable to develop positive emotions and strong geopolitical disposition. They are also more likely to develop empathy. Dark tourism is therefore a wonderful tool for education.