Lighthouse tourism: is there a “dark” side?
International Journal of Tourism Cities
ISSN: 2056-5607
Article publication date: 3 January 2018
Issue publication date: 26 April 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The lighthouse tourism, which has been flourishing in several coastal areas and port cities with waterfront, provides the ideal scenario for escape experiences. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implicit (dark tourism) meanings, symbolisms and emotions evoked by lighthouses, in particular those related with recreational storm chasing, “land’s ends” pilgrimage and gaze upon dystopic places.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative approach such as filmography’s content analysis (filtered by IMDb database), photo elicitation and engagement with lighthouses promotion websites, this study searched for evidences supporting the classification of lighthouse tourism as a “lighter” dark tourism product.
Findings
The qualitative information gathered from different sources provided support for a taxonomy of motives for engaging (dark) lighthouse experiences: risk recreation; isolation and loneliness; pilgrimage; shipwrecking; memorials; dystopia; and gaze for “ice palaces.”
Research limitations/implications
This conceptual paper suggests a taxonomy for a systematic classification of dark lighthouse experiences and suggested some research propositions for further research.
Practical implications
Public decision makers, maritime authorities and tourism operators may acknowledge the theoretical and practical contributions provided by this paper and develop innovative escape experiences.
Social implications
The lighthouse tourism is an innovative and creative way to promote the sustainable development of waterfronts of port cities, giving more “energy” to these coastal and often peripheral areas.
Originality/value
The paper fills a gap in the literature that so far never had deeply explored the relationship between the lighthouses’ meanings/experiences and dark tourism and introduces the innovative concept of (dark) lighthouse tourism.
Keywords
Citation
Azevedo, A. (2018), "Lighthouse tourism: is there a “dark” side?", International Journal of Tourism Cities, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 54-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-03-2017-0019
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, International Tourism Studies Association