A researcher’s lived experience : A case study of dark sites in USA

Abstract

This paper reflects the lived experience of dark sites. The researcher undertakes a journey to three different dark sites in USA (Ground Zero, Gettysburg and Ellis Island) and reflects on the essence of the experience. The reflection forms part of a phenomenological enquiry as applied when exploring phenomena. Interpretive phenomenology is adopted when seeking the essence of the experience from a visitor perspective. Personal reflections demonstrate the variation of feelings released at each dark site and the need for managers to design dark tourism experiences considering cognitive and emotional impacts felt from a visitor perspective.