A study of battlefield tourists in Ieper, Belgium

Abstract

In the Great War of 1914-18 the town of Ieper (Ypres) was the centre of the horrific battles of Passchendaele, and today, it is a large centre for battlefield tourism. This study is part of a broader project to analyse some of the motivations and experiences of people who visit the battlefields and their various memorials and museums. The sample was selected from visitors attending the Information Centre located in the Cloth Hall in the town of Ieper. Most respondents had relatives involved in war, but only about one quarter were intending to visit a cemetery or wall of names to trace a soldier. Very few people classified themselves as pilgrims, and nearly half preferred to describe themselves as a tourist. The responses to qualitative and quantitative questions revealed that most visitors were motivated to visit the town by opportunities for education and historical interest about the war, and to show gratitude and honour those who had fought. Approximately one quarter of the sample were not touring the battlefields, reflecting the other attractions that the area holds.