The Dark Side of Tourism: Exploring the Rise of Unethical Travel

Strategic Insights -

As the world's most distressing history becomes increasingly accessible through media and social platforms, a rising trend of young travelers has taken to exploring sites with death and disaster at their core. Defined by darktourism.com, this niche involves traveling to places like Auschwitz, Chernobyl, and areas of ongoing conflict, sparking questions about ethics and the impact on local communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • 91% of Gen Z travelers (13-28 year olds) have engaged in dark tourism, according to a 2022 Travel News survey.
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum saw a 10% rise in visitors in 2024, with 1.8 million people visiting, down from the 2023 pre-pandemic high of 2 million.
  • The museum attributes the decrease to ongoing conflicts in Russia-Ukraine and the Middle East.
  • Beverley Boden, a PhD researcher in dark tourism, has observed a significant increase in young, predominantly 16-24 year olds, visiting dark tourism sites, often without proper research.
  • At Auschwitz, Boden has witnessed visitors disrespecting the site, including taking calls, eating food, and taking inappropriate pictures.
  • Dark tourists, especially young ones, are often motivated by "morbid curiosity" and a desire to "push the boundaries," according to Boden.
  • Visiting active or recent conflict zones, such as Afghanistan and Iraq, has also become a trend, despite travel advisories and human rights concerns.
  • Social media influencers like Miles Routledge, Mike Okay, and @josievlogsthings have gained millions of views by showcasing their experiences in these areas.
  • In 2023, over 5,200 tourists visited Afghanistan, and the Iraqi government recorded a record 500-plus US and European tourists in 2024.

Statistics:

  • 1 million people lost their lives during the 5 years that Auschwitz was active during WWII.
  • 1.8 million people visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in 2024.
  • 2 million people visited the museum in 2023.
  • Over 200,000 casualties occurred in Iraq between 2003-2022, according to Iraq Body Count.
  • 5,200 tourists visited Afghanistan in 2023.
  • 500-plus US and European tourists visited Iraq in 2024, documented by the Iraqi government.

Sources:

  • "2022 Travel News Survey"
  • darktourism.com
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
  • Beverley Boden, PhD researcher and associate dean at Teesside University International Business School
  • The Mirror's Audience U35 team
  • Getty Images
  • Iraq Body Count
  • FCDO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) travel advisories