Everything You Need to Know About: Dark Tourism and Why Malaysia Should Capitalize on It

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Dark tourism may sound like a buzzword or a new trend for the global tourism market, probably thanks to TV series like Chernobyl or Dark Tourist.

But in fact, the concept has been around for centuries.

The term “dark tourism” was first coined in 1996 by two professors at Glasgow Caledonian University, John Lennon and Malcolm Foley, when the subject gained academic attention.

Today, the term is generally used to describe tourist activities linked to visiting places with dark and tragic historical contexts involving genocide, murder, crime or incarceration.

However, the desire to visit these places and learn about their dark past is not a new phenomenon.

A 2017 study published in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice discovered that for many years, humans have been drawn to places and events associated with death, disasters, suffering, violence and killing.

“From ancient Rome and gladiatorial combat to the presence of public executions in London and other major cities around the world, death has always held an appeal,” the study says.

In Malaysia, there are many dark tourism sites that represent the country’s colonial past, pre-independence struggles and tragic events that impacted society.

From World War II sites that the Japanese military used during their occupation in the 1940s to the abandoned Highland Towers condominium and even historic cemeteries, there are plenty of dark tourism spots in Malaysia for thrill-seekers who want to learn about the country’s past.

Overall, dark tourism serves as a powerful tool for education, remembrance, and reflection on human history.

It allows tourists to learn about the causes and consequences of past tragedies to shape a more informed future, while preserving the memory of these significant events.

In addition to its historical and educational values, dark tourism contributes significantly to the growth of tourism revenue.

According to projections by Future Market Insight, the global dark tourism market is expected to be valued at US$31.89 billion (RM148.68 billion) by the end of this year.

The report also projected that the market will grow to US$40.82 billion (RM190.32 billion) by 2034.

Based on Malaysia Tourism’s 2023 report, Malaysia has collected over RM71.3 billion in revenue from over 20.14 million tourists.

VN Express International also ranked Malaysia as the most visited country in Southeast Asia in 2023.