Dark tourism is on the rise, courtesy of HBO’s hit mini-series, Chernobyl. For some, visiting solemn sites provides a better understanding of disasters that are beyond imagination; for others, it’s a way to reconnect with history they’ve only read about or seen on TV. For a majority, it’s morbid curiosity: to see what humans could do one another, or how technology gone awry could destroy lives. All are valid reasons; however, as we live in an age of sharing our experiences on social media, there’s a chance of doing Dark Tourism completely wrong.
Whether you are visiting Auschwitz, Rwanda’s genocide memorials, Cambodia’s Killing Fields, South Africa’s Robben Island, or New York City’s 9/11 Memorial, there are do’s and don’ts to follow out of respect for those who’ve tragically lost their lives.
