The Language of Dark Tourism: Terms and Sensitivity
Updated: September 23rd, 2024.
Dark tourism—the term itself tends to unnerve people at first. We journey to places that have witnessed suffering beyond the comprehension of most, where history can almost be felt in the air. It’s not just the destinations that draw attention.
The words we use to describe these places—the way we choose to describe them—can be as emotive as the experiences they commemorate. What we say, and how we say it, can either honour the past or unintentionally lessen its weight.
As more travellers seek out places connected to death, destruction, and loss, it becomes clear that the language around dark tourism can be as significant as the sites themselves. This article will explore the impact of language on a visitor’s experience and the importance of sensitivity when engaging with this darker part of history—where the line between respect and exploitation is thin.

What Is Dark Tourism?
Before delving into the specifics, it’s important to define dark tourism. Dark tourism involves trips to places where tragedy occurred, places associated with death, disaster, or atrocity, which have left their mark on both the landscape and the collective memory.
From the solemn gates of Auschwitz to the quiet stillness of Chernobyl, these places attract visitors who are driven by morbid curiosity or a desire to better understand the darker chapters of history.
How we describe these experiences profoundly impacts how they are perceived. Is it a journey to honour the dead, or is it about confronting something terrifying? The words we choose matter—they can enable thought and reflection, or reduce the experience to mere entertainment. In fact, it all begins with language.
Common Dark Tourism Terminology
Words guide us through our understanding, but at these dark tourism sites, they can either clarify or obscure what we see. The terms used to describe these places range widely. At one end, there are neutral historical terms like “memorial” or “site of tragedy,” which convey gravity without offence. These words gently guide visitors, encouraging them to approach as thoughtful onlookers, not thrill-seekers.
At the other extreme is sensationalist language, like “death trap” or “ghoulish tourism,” which panders to morbid curiosity and turns places of mourning into macabre spectacles.
Sensational phrases like “morbid curiosity” and “macabre appeal” don’t just describe—they diminish the gravity of the suffering endured. These are the traps to avoid, as they turn education into entertainment. The challenge is to find the right words—those that balance interest with respect.

Sensitivity In Language
Language matters, often more than we realise. In different cultures, words carry meanings tied to historical pain and survival. This is especially important in dark tourism, where local history plays a central role. Describing an event as a “tragedy” may be accurate in one culture but could evoke deep, unhealed sorrow in another.
Take Hiroshima, for example: to some, it marks the end of World War II; to others, it is a painful reminder of lost relatives, devastated lands, and enduring hardship. Words here carry the weight of either respect or exploitation, remembrance or offence. The dark tourism writer and enthusiast must carefully balance curiosity with sensitivity.
Tone is everything. Too detached, and you strip away the human connection; too emotional, and you risk exploiting the pain you’re trying to honour. The goal is not just to describe, but to use words that pay homage to the truth.
Auschwitz and the Language of Memorial
Few places demand as much care with words as Auschwitz. The name alone evokes some of the worst horrors of the 20th century. Yet even here, language can shift: guidebooks might describe its “historic importance,” while survivors in their memoirs recall it as a “living nightmare.” Blogs, articles, and documentaries navigate the enormity of the Holocaust, striving to convey its weight without resorting to sensationalism or emotional detachment.
Fact-based terms like “death camp,” “extermination,” and “memorial” keep the conversation real, stripping away any false sense of adventure. The emotions are still there, even in the most straightforward accounts, allowing visitors to feel connected—not as distant observers, but almost as part of the memory. Language influences this response.
Words can elevate a site to a place of respect, or reduce it to just another stop on a grim itinerary.

Controversial Terms
The term “dark tourism” has sparked some debate. Some argue that it implies a morbid fascination with death, while others find it disrespectful to the sites. Alternatives like “thanatourism” (derived from the Greek word for death) aim to eliminate these sensational connotations, while “memorial tourism” focuses on remembrance. However it’s phrased, the reality remains: the language we use shapes our understanding, balancing between horror and memory. Instead of describing Pompeii as “haunted” or a battlefield as “ghostly,” writers can choose words that open minds, not frighten them. Phrases like “hallowed ground” or “a place to remember” move the focus away from thrill-seeking and back to reflection.
Ethical Language for Dark Tourism Writing
In short, ethical language is key in dark tourism. Bloggers and guides must be creative without being hyperbolic, and avoid overused phrases. By recounting survivors’ stories, setting events in historical context, and steering clear of clichéd terms, writers ensure they aren’t exploiting tragedy for attention.
When done well, dark tourism can serve as a profound educational tool, offering us the chance to learn from history’s toughest lessons. But only through thoughtful, respectful language can we ensure that the past is represented accurately and with dignity.
Glossary of Terms
Dark Tourism: Visiting destinations associated with death, disaster, or suffering.
Thanatourism: A synonym for dark tourism, derived from the Greek word thanatos, meaning death.
Memorial Tourism: Visiting sites dedicated to commemorating victims of disasters or conflicts.
Site of Tragedy: A term for locations where historically significant and painful events occurred.
Death Camp: Typically a high-security prison camp where many people died, often related to the Holocaust.