This study explores and analyses the tourists’ experience at dark tourism sites and provides a theoretical framework that captures how tourists perceive, emotionally engage with, and cognitively process their experiences. This research delves into the tourists’ experience of two prominent dark tourism sites in India – Jallianwala Bagh and Cellular Jail. It analyses TripAdvisor reviews through topic modelling, emotion extraction, and sentiment analysis. The significance of the study is underscored by its novel integration of four theoretical frameworks: Bruner’s Narrative Construction of Reality, Pine and Gilmore’s Experience Economy, Schmitt’s Cognitive–Affective Model, and Mehrabian and Russell’s Environmental Psychology Model, into the Integrated Cognitive-Emotional Experience Framework (ICEEF). This framework comprehensively explains how narratives, sensory components, and emotional responses shape tourist experiences. These insights highlight the critical role of effective storytelling, sensory engagement, and the emotional weight of historical events in shaping tourist experiences. This research provides valuable theoretical and practical contributions, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of dark tourism and suggesting enhancements for site management to deepen tourist engagement. By bridging cognitive and emotional dimensions, the study advances theoretical knowledge and provides actionable recommendations for improving tourist experiences at dark heritage sites.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ashraf et al. (2024) studied this question.