Dark Tourism in Prague - Research Paper Example

Dark Tourism in Prague of Dark tourism Introduction The major aim of this research is to obtain the perception of dark tourism in Prague and the importance of awareness of dark tourism in Prague. It is mainly shown that people often visit Prague without having knowledge about dark tourism. The research contains the objectives of observing the factors, which mostly attracts the tourists towards Prague. In addition, research is also aimed to find out the reasons and probable actions to be taken which could help in developing strategies to encourage the dark tourism (Smith, et al., 2010). The variables in this research considered are the age group of the visitors and the volume of visits by the visitors and the length of their stay, depending on the variables that are showing the attraction of Prague that brings the visitors to Prague and strengthen their length of stay. More objectives are to find out the most attractive places in the eye of visitors and their emotional manifestation while visiting Prague. To conduct this research of knowing the amount of awareness of dark tourism in Prague among which age group people, and to achieve the aims and objectives, a quantitative survey will be held on the streets by filling questionnaires on the popular attractions of Prague from the tourists around. The data will be gathered and analysed after entering into SPSSS. Prague, the capital city of Czech Republic, has been chosen for the research as it is prominent for its cultural and historical significant. The largest city in whole Central Europe, also represent a historical capital of Bohemia. Prague is a cultural centre of Czech Republic and has many historical places; cultural heritage has an additional attribute of dark tourism (Hannam & Knox, 2010). Dark tourism of Prague includes dark themed museums and dark communism or torture museums. Prague dark tourism also includes the tours like ghost tours and communism tours. Talking more about Prague, It has various attractions specially Prague Castle which is the largest castle in the world. Prague has a vast history of more than a thousand years; its construction started in 9th century. The city thrived in the 14th century in the dynasty of Charles IV. The city was also occupied by the Jewish community in the years of the 17th century, that era is also called as a Golden Age of Jewish Prague (Burton & Burton, 2003). The city was also under influence of Roman Emperors and the look of the city is influenced by the baroque period and its monuments that are now kept as a rich cultural heritage including Romanesque rotundas, baroque and gothic churches, renaissance gardens and palaces. With all the cultural vibes, Prague is preserved as a Historical Centre including magical bridges, cathedrals and gold tripped towers, church domes and Vltava River (Papathanassis, 2011). Prague is also known for its diversified values. The nightlife of the city is very famous in Europe as hotels, restaurants, clubs and travel trips provide another source of attraction. With all the architectural sites, the city offers some other features as music, art and nostalgic events (Humphreys & Nollen, 2002). Background/ Conceptual information Tourism is increasing as a global leisure activity that has various forms. There are different forms of travel in which various destinations are covered under tourism. It is a matter fact that there are various occurrences of natural disaster and battles that caused deaths, and great disaster has increased the interest of travellers to know the history. One type of tourism is “Dark Tourism”. In order to understand the phenomenon of the dark tourism it can be said that it is a visitation of those places that are related to death histories and tragedies occurred while dealing with the heritage of the humanity (Willis, 2011). It is getting popular because people are taking an interest, and the attention of the tourists is increasing the value of those places that are related to the death histories and battlefield. People are getting more curious to know about the death disasters (Willis, 2014). Dark tourism is also known as “thanatourism”, because both have same meaning but interpreted differently. Places that are related to the death related histories are included in dark tourism. Ntunda (2014) also described dark tourism by using different terms and that is “black spots” (Robinson, et al., 2011). It can be defined as the gravesites needs commercial developments especially those sites where large number of people experience violent deaths that happened suddenly (Dalton, 2014). Different authors and researchers have described dark tourism with their understanding in which Dalton (2014) used “thanatourism” term instead of dark tourism (Dalton, 2014). He suggests that traveling to a location that has a history and symbolic encounters related to the death depends on the interest and motivation to collect the information about these sites. It means that people who travel to the dark sites go there to experience the aura of these places (Wilson, 2008). The literature on dark tourism simply suggest that as the trend for dark tourism is increasing, therefore, those cities and countries that have different tragic histories are more focusing on the maintenance of those sites (Hannam & Knox, 2010). To further promote the dark tourism and to attract people towards the dark tourism on the governmental level the efforts are put into save those sites as real (Wilson, 2008). There are different types and forms of tours the most famous and popular ones are battlefield tour, death site tours, and pilgrims. However, most people prefer battlefield tours and death site tours because it seems interesting and more attractive to them (Robinson, et al., 2011). Dark tourism is the oldest form of tourism, and it is relatively from recent development as well. It is argued by Sharpley & Stone (2009) that the pilgrimages were the very first forms of the travel that were known as the tourism. It is a great source of education and pleasure in life. In addition, it can also be said that the dark tourism is the concept of the modernity. The great attraction of death and disaster is created by the modern media (Sharpley & Stone, 2009). The reason behind this is that the modern media that give highlights on dark tourism due to which people are more attracting towards the dark tourism. This trend is started from the 19th century, however, in the 20th century the trend is more increased and the dark tourism is promoted (Lennon & Foley, 2000). As per the research taken by Institute of dark tourism research it can be said that the entire phenomenon is about the dark tourism and it has historical pedigree and people have motivation and interest to travel for the leisure. It is also a research that psychological need can be met simply by visiting the sites that are related to the horror and death stories. White et al. (2013) have explained this psychology that travellers who seek some meanings in places mostly come from dark tourism because it allows people to contemplate the reasons for death (White, et al., 2013). It will not be incorrect to state on the basis of Lennon & Foley (2000) research that dark tourism demonstrates the attraction of human beings where mortality and suffering can easily be confronted. Dark tourism provides the reasons for the people to travel and to know the history with motivation (Lennon & Foley, 2000) Herein, it should be noted that the dark tourism has different concepts and perceptions in the mind of the people. Some people like dark tourism because it has different cultures in it and some like it because it has deep stories. People around the world like to know that how people have died there are several stories related to Roman Empire and the brutal life of the Romans (Joly, 2011). Similarly, Brutalism and the rare and unique methods to kill people seems unique to the people and people enjoy it. Some educational trips and universities also take the student for dark tourism to increase their knowledge. There are several museums that contain those instruments that were related to the wars and that were used to kill people in the war (Hannam & Knox, 2010). There are tragic stories related to the interest of those people who were used to kill people for the sake of their collection of human body parts. There are places that are containing those human body parts, and these types of places are included in the dark tourism sites (Sharpley & Stone, 2009). These sites are known as the most entertaining sites for the tourists. Some researchers also call it as the heritage of the cities and countries. Tourists enjoy travelling this heritage of the cities, and it becomes a famous and known mark for that city or country. There are several cities and countries that are most famous because of the dark tourism (Coles & Timothy, 2004). Methodology In order to fulfil the aim and objectives of the research and the information needed to derive from the results, various methods are used in the study. Most of the methods are part of quantitative side of the research. The research begins by designing the questionnaire that is used to ask views of tourists in Prague. The questionnaire contains basic questions and insight to those basic questions is basic as well. The questionnaire includes the demographic part that covers the gender, age group and nationality of an individual. There survey was conducted on the streets of Prague and the general public who are also tourists were included in the survey. The survey was carried out at different locations of dark tourism, especially the Old Town Square in Prague, which is the best meeting place for tourists. Since the respondents are tourists and they could not take out much time to talk on unnecessary things for them, which is why questionnaire was kept precise and to the point answers that would hardly take five minutes from their time. The close-ended questionnaire was carried out in a way that would help to gain the perception of dark tourism among general population who have come to visit places, which are associated with dark tourism, but do they know the concept of dark tourism or they have just arrived from any other Europe tour. The questionnaire includes simple questions that will help to understand the concept of dark tourism in the mind of tourists and the knowledge related to those places they are visiting. The method of survey based on questionnaire is quite simple and easy that gives prompt response of the respondent, and a close-ended questionnaire bounds the person to give his response in a simpler an easier way (Newman & Benz, 1998). This type of collected data sometimes may be based on lies or careless answers by the respondents if they are running out of time or the questionnaire is too lengthy that change the mood of respondents and their attitude get worst with the person on survey. However, the questionnaire tool for survey is the most popular and accurate format for research in the places for leisure and tourism that quantified the information required. It is therefore a helpful technique to analyse the intention of the respondents (Trochim, 2005). The quantitative data was examined and analysed with the software of SPSS and the results of relative data to discovering the amount of information and awareness that respondents have regarding dark tourism among the tourists in Prague were collected (Ritchie, et al., 2005). The result of frequency tables, graphs, means and chi-squares are included in the report. The survey also includes qualitative method based on one interview asking the interviewer about the awareness and understanding of dark tourism. The questions asked help in analysing their understanding of dark tourism and their interpretation of dark tourism. The problems faced during the process included the communication barrier between the surveyor and respondents. The understanding of English language caused problems while filling the questionnaire. And respondent might not understand the words or language and reply with a wrong answer. Another problem faced was coding and entering of data into the software. There were chances of data entered inaccurately without realization. In case of any presumed problems, extra consideration was given to avoid these stances. Results/discussion In order to determine the understanding and awareness of the tourists in Prague about dark tourism in the defined age groups, several frequencies and mean of the obtained data will be explored in this section. The data will be shown according to the sample size i.e. 127. Before discussing the critical points gathered in this research, the demographics part shows that the respondents were 55% percent in the male whereas 45% were female. The first question described the type of association of Prague and tourism in the mind of tourists. The results are following: What type of tourism do you associate with Prague   Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid Heritage 21 16.5 16.5 16.5 Culture 68 53.5 53.5 70.1 Stag and Hen 21 16.5 16.5 86.6 Packaged Tour 13 10.2 10.2 96.9 Dark Tourism 4 3.1 3.1 100.0 Total 127 100.0 100.0   The above chart represents that most of the people represent their associations with Prague is a culture with 53%. While the association of Prague with Heritage and Stag and Hen are rated equally by the tourists. Whereas, a very few number of people with 3% associated dark tourism as a lowest option with the city Prague. This result shows an abundant lack of knowledge about dark tourism in Prague or respondents simply do not know the actual concept of dark tourism and making it a heritage of a city. Many people do not understand the definition of the heritage of any country. Dark tourism is completely a different direction concept and has nothing to do with culture or heritage. And surprisingly, people have rated Stage and Hen night on the same level of Heritage percentage. The question was designed in way where respondent has to choose only one option so they might have chosen the answer to which they give more priority or on the basis of their personal judgment of their association with Prague. Therefore, the image of dark tourism of Prague is not prominent in their eye. Instead, they have many of the tourists rated high to packaged tour over dark tourism. When tourists were asked about the experience of visiting dark tourism before, the result can be seen the following table: Have you visited any dark tourism attractions   Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid Yes 56 44.1 44.1 44.1 No 71 55.9 55.9 100.0 Total 127 100.0 100.0   The frequency of people has not visited earlier any of the dark tourism than this tour is high with almost 56%. In this questions, respondents had to give reply direct replied yes or no. This result might create a chance of lack of awareness of dark tourism, that tourists might have visited dark tourism before and named it as any other kind of trip, and they are not aware of it. Even though the result of this question rates higher in ‘no’ but on the other hand, 44% tourists replied in ‘yes’ shows that a good amount of tourists still have an idea of dark tourism, and they are aware of dark tourism. This result also indicates that many of the tourists will visit the places included in dark tourism by the end of their stay in the city, Prague. Furthermore, the question related to the number of visit to the Prague resulted in the cart below: How many time have you visited Prague   Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid First visit 82 64.6 64.6 64.6 2 23 18.1 18.1 82.7 3 11 8.7 8.7 91.3 4+ 11 8.7 8.7 100.0 Total 127 100.0 100.0   This question was simple to ask about their amount of visits to Prague, which indicates that tourists may have curiosity to visit a city like Prague. 65% of sample was first time visitors but we cannot say that all the tourists who are visiting first time have awareness of dark tourism. And the decrease in percentage in number of visits from first time to second and third, shows that only those people who are more likely to visit dark tourism have repeated their tours. The reason for stating this reason is that tourists filled the questionnaire in interview format, as they were reading out the questions loud, and respond the answers verbally with reasons and then marked the option in the paper, when they respond to coming again or coming for the third time or more. The decrease in percentage showed that a certain percentage of tourists take their tours on continual basis to Prague. To follow the variables of this research, another question was asked based on the length of the stay of tourists in Prague. How long will you be staying in Prague   Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid A day 5 3.9 3.9 3.9 2/3 days 45 35.4 35.4 39.4 4/6 days 51 40.2 40.2 79.5 A week 17 13.4 13.4 92.9 2 weeks 4 3.1 3.1 96.1 One month + 5 3.9 3.9 100.0 Total 127 100.0 100.0   The outcome of this question shows that a very less amount of people comes for a single day or for two week and more. Length of stay comprise on 2 to 3 days or 4 to 6 days is an average time in which tourists can easily opt dark tourism and they can cover many places in that amount of time. But staying in Prague without having any information regarding dark tourism is not worthy comparing to those who are spending time in Prague with the awareness of dark tourism and have sentiments and enjoying accordingly. To follow the objective of the research, the question was asked in a direct way to rate their awareness of dark tourism attractions in Prague. Tourists had to rate their level of awareness on 1 to 5 scales, which represent the well awareness till least awareness of dark tourism attractions in Prague. Awareness of dark tourism   Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid Very aware 18 14.2 14.2 14.2 Aware 18 14.2 14.2 28.3 Neither 34 26.8 26.8 55.1 Unaware 16 12.6 12.6 67.7 Very unaware 41 32.3 32.3 100.0 Total 127 100.0 100.0   Descriptive Statistics   N Mean Std. Deviation Awareness of dark tourism 127 3.3465 1.42193 Valid N (listwise) 127     The results in the table illustrate moderate position of awareness of dark tourism in Prague among tourist; it shows that they are not well or fully aware of this concept. And most of the sample size is totally unaware of the terminology of dark tourism in Prague. The results show nearly above of average result. In relation to two questions asked of tourists about their number of visit and rate of awareness, most of the people who have visited before have the awareness of dark tourism in Prague. Because the more people are aware of dark tourism, the more they likely to visit and repeat theirs visit. The mean of 3.3 shows the average result where the condition is neither in a positive side nor highly towards negative. In the next question, tourists were asked to suggest a method that can motivate them towards dark tourism. To understand the variable of the research that which group of people of tourists are more aware of dark tourism and which age group has more awareness or less awareness of dark tourism cross tabulation results are obtained. To show the link between the variable, the table is shown below: Age Group * Awareness of dark tourism Crosstabulation   Awareness of dark tourism Total Very aware Aware Neither Unaware Very unaware Age Group 18-29 Count 4 8 18 10 24 64 % Within Age Group 6.3% 12.5% 28.1% 15.6% 37.5% 100.0% % Within Awareness of dark tourism 22.2% 44.4% 52.9% 62.5% 58.5% 50.4% % Of Total 3.1% 6.3% 14.2% 7.9% 18.9% 50.4% 30-39 Count 2 8 6 2 4 22 % Within Age Group 9.1% 36.4% 27.3% 9.1% 18.2% 100.0% % Within Awareness of dark tourism 11.1% 44.4% 17.6% 12.5% 9.8% 17.3% % Of Total 1.6% 6.3% 4.7% 1.6% 3.1% 17.3% 40-49 Count 7 0 9 3 6 25 % Within Age Group 28.0% 0.0% 36.0% 12.0% 24.0% 100.0% % Within Awareness of dark tourism 38.9% 0.0% 26.5% 18.8% 14.6% 19.7% % Of Total 5.5% 0.0% 7.1% 2.4% 4.7% 19.7% 50-59 Count 2 1 0 0 5 8 % Within Age Group 25.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 62.5% 100.0% % Within Awareness of dark tourism 11.1% 5.6% 0.0% 0.0% 12.2% 6.3% % Of Total 1.6% .8% 0.0% 0.0% 3.9% 6.3% 60+ Count 3 1 1 1 2 8 % Within Age Group 37.5% 12.5% 12.5% 12.5% 25.0% 100.0% % Within Awareness of dark tourism 16.7% 5.6% 2.9% 6.3% 4.9% 6.3% % Of Total 2.4% .8% .8% .8% 1.6% 6.3% Total Count 18 18 34 16 41 127 % Within Age Group 14.2% 14.2% 26.8% 12.6% 32.3% 100.0% % Within Awareness of dark tourism 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% % Of Total 14.2% 14.2% 26.8% 12.6% 32.3% 100.0% The above table illustrates that tourists with age of 18- 29 years have mostly answered. And the percentage of very unaware of the dark tourism attracts in Prague. To talk about the source of awareness or the action to be taken can encourage the tourists to visit dark tourism can be understand by the following table: What do you think would encourage people to visit a dark tourism site   Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid More advertising 44 34.6 34.6 34.6 Better Products 9 7.1 7.1 41.7 A famous event 24 18.9 18.9 60.6 Movie or TV 17 13.4 13.4 74.0 More information 33 26.0 26.0 100.0 Total 127 100.0 100.0   The result of the method to encourage awareness for the dark tourism is very obvious, approximately 35% of the sample size of tourists in this survey suggested to advertise dark tourism more. That means much more advertising is needed to encourage awareness of dark tourism attractions and motivate people towards dark tourism in Prague. Conclusion In order to conclude the research and figure out the findings of the research gained from the quantitative survey. It is shown that awareness of dark tourism in Prague is lacking. Firstly, there is a lack of association of dark tourism with the city Prague. Tourists have associated Prague more with culture and heritage and even stag and hen parties and vibrant nightlife of Prague. People have shown their interest more in culture rather than dark tourism; the fact is unknown that Prague falls into the category of dark tourism. It was shocking to see tourists in Prague, staying there but they have not visited the places of dark tourism. However, it is also presented that most of the tourists were unaware of the dark tourism or the attractions they can find of dark tourism in Prague. The objective of the research is to determine the awareness of dark tourism in Prague. Most of the respondents answered that they were unaware. As per the findings of the research, it is shown that people over the age of 30 are mostly aware of dark tourism comparing the age under 30. The population under the age of 30 is visiting more, but they are not aware of dark tourism. It can also be said that 30 above are more repetitive visitors, so it’s natural that they have more knowledge comparing older ones. Lastly, some actions must be taken to encourage dark tourism among the least aware group of people. Prague has mostly associated with culture and heritage knowing the fact that Prague comes in some of those places where dark tourism is present in a rich quantity in the world. Prague must organize some advertisements to showcase its dark tourism and make people aware of it. They must make advertisement promoting dark tourism around the world like other countries. List of References Burton, R. & Burton, R. D. E., 2003. Prague: A Cultural and Literary History. Prague: Signal Books. Coles, T. & Timothy, D. J., 2004. 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