ABSTRACT

This article studies the importance of the educational experience of students in dark tourism sites, with a particular focus on post-visit effects after their exposure to dark sites – inner-directed and behavioural activities. Previous studies on the topic are limited, controversial, and reveal that field trips as a compulsory activity do not necessarily induce post-visit effects, but at the same time can provoke greater interest in certain topics, such as research or repeated visits. The study continues the strand of research of post-visit effects after exposure to dark tourism sites of the specific segment – university undergraduates. The study is based on longitudinal data collected after field trips to dark tourism sites in Latvia (2014–2019). In total, 119 Latvian and exchange students participated in field trips during the Dark tourism study course. Students reported about the post-visit effects by using questionnaires based on dark tourism theoretical frameworks. The programme included such dark tourism sites as the KGB Museum, Ghetto Museum, and memorials. The results indicate that students appreciate the educational value of the dark tourism sites and better-designed sites induce more post-visit effects. However, educational gains must be strengthened by stimulating professional knowledge and the will to research independently.

摘要

本文研究了学生在黑暗旅游景点的教育体验的重要性，特别关注他们接触黑暗网站后的访问后影响——内向和行为活动。先前关于该主题的研究是有限的、有争议的，并且表明实地考察作为一项强制性活动不一定会引起访问后的影响，但同时可以激发对某些主题的更大兴趣，例如研究或重复访问。该研究继续对接触特定群体（大学本科生）的黑暗旅游景点后的访问后影响进行研究。该研究基于对拉脱维亚黑暗旅游景点进行实地考察后收集的纵向数据（2014-2019 年）。总共，119 名拉脱维亚学生和交换生在黑暗旅游学习课程期间参加了实地考察。学生通过基于黑暗旅游理论框架的问卷报告了访问后的效果。该计划包括克格勃博物馆、贫民窟博物馆和纪念馆等黑暗旅游景点。结果表明，学生们欣赏黑暗旅游景点的教育价值，设计更好的景点会产生更多的后访问效果。但是，必须通过激发专业知识和独立研究的意愿来加强教育成果。结果表明，学生们欣赏黑暗旅游景点的教育价值，设计更好的景点会产生更多的后访问效果。但是，必须通过激发专业知识和独立研究的意愿来加强教育成果。结果表明，学生们欣赏黑暗旅游景点的教育价值，设计更好的景点会产生更多的后访问效果。但是，必须通过激发专业知识和独立研究的意愿来加强教育成果。