Dark tourism - visiting sites linked to death, suffering, or disasters—has grown beyond morbid curiosity to become a meaningful mode of travel. Travelers are drawn to places such as Auschwitz, Ground Zero, and Chernobyl not for spectacle, but to connect with history, remember victims, and reflect on human resilience.

Psychologically, these sites trigger a safe thrill. According to Georgetown neurobiologist James Giordano, being in places of horror offers "all of the rush but none of the reality" - an adrenaline-fueled confusion that fascinates many. Culturally, visiting these places supports empathy, reflection, and remembrance—helping visitors confront mortality and injustice while learning from the past .

Ethical concerns remain. The line between respectful remembrance and voyeurism is narrow. Over-commercialisation risks trivializing tragedy, while tourism can re-traumatize communities if not handled sensitively. Thoughtful site management, educational framing, and visitor mindfulness are essential to preserve the dignity behind each story.

Dark tourism, at its best, transforms sorrow into solemn lessons - and occasional hope.