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The Palgrave Handbook of Dark Tourism Studies pp 727–746Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

‘Shining a Digital Light on the Dark’: Harnessing Online Media to Improve the Dark Tourism Experience

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Abstract

This chapter examines how dark tourism can utilise digital media to improve and provide a more immersive and memorable experience for the (dark) tourist. In addressing this crucially important aspect, a three-strand approach is taken. Firstly, the realm of social media is investigated in terms of how such platforms can be used for marketing and promotion of dark tourism destinations but also to engage with the dark tourist online in a meaningful and significant way, thereby establishing a relationship with such tourists and enhancing their level of experience. Secondly, the chapter addresses the world of mobile applications and how to cater to the ever-growing appetites of those tourists who increasingly use their smartphones and tablets to stay connected. Indeed, harnessing such technologies as geo-location, augmented reality and gamification through mobile devices to provide new ways and new forms of interpretive information for the dark tourist that will inform, engage and immerse them in a whole new level of experience. Finally, the chapter examines the concept of blogs and related online forums, focusing on how such digital platforms can foster and develop information-sharing and research collaboration in the realm of dark tourism. Throughout all three dimensions, examples of good practice will be highlighted as well as how the technology is evolving for the future. The chapter concludes by outlining some critical insights that could help to inform new strategic directions for developing dark tourism much more effectively in the digital world.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ulster University Business School, Coleraine, UK

    Peter Bolan & Maria Simone-Charteris

Authors
  1. Peter Bolan
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  2. Maria Simone-Charteris
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom

    Philip R. Stone

  2. University of Colorado Denver, Denver, USA

    Rudi Hartmann

  3. University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Tony Seaton

  4. University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom

    Richard Sharpley

  5. Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia

    Leanne White

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© 2018 The Author(s)

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Bolan, P., Simone-Charteris, M. (2018). ‘Shining a Digital Light on the Dark’: Harnessing Online Media to Improve the Dark Tourism Experience. In: R. Stone, P., Hartmann, R., Seaton, T., Sharpley, R., White, L. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Dark Tourism Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-47566-4_30

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-47566-4_30

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-47565-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-47566-4

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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