How do we talk about environmental risk?
To understand what dark tourism is and how people interact with hazardous landscapes for tourism.
To know what dark tourism is
To understand about Vesuvius as a tourist site
To discuss how these interactions shape what people think about hazards and place
To think about how images, language and stories shape these interactions
Ask pupils to discuss and note down what they think dark tourism is, and examples of places they have been, or know about, that may count as a dark tourist site. Pupils can then read this short article from National Geographic and note down what they identify.
Is dark tourism OK? (National Geographic, 2016)
This exercise focuses on how the volcano, Vesuvius, became a tourist site, especially when it is erupting and how it has been experienced throughout history.
Watch the following videos, and discuss as a group:
Do you think the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum understood the environmental risk of living near Vesuvius?
Explain the ways you think these communities may have learned about their changing landscape.
You can also look at a nineteenth century volume called Sketches of Vesuvius of plates that show tourists visiting Vesuvius during eruptions.
Sketches of Vesuvius (1832)
As a group research the ways this practice has changed and reported. For example, there are numerous vlogs by YouTubers and Influencers available, documenting their visit to Pompeii.
Examine the resources you can find, and use your own research to discuss how and why visitors may have enjoyed experiencing this risks associated with Pompeii.
How are these experiences sold to consumers?
What kinds of language is used to describe these locations?
What sorts of images are used?
How do these materials indicate a different perception of risk?
Pupils should revisit the question posed by the article: is ‘Dark Tourism’ OK? Discuss their answers knowing they have engaged with materials. Reflect specifically on importance of diverse stories about environmental risk.
Goldsmith, S. (University of York) Danger and the Grand Tour: Sarah Goldsmith explores why 18th century Grand Tourists risked dangers such as mountain precipices, erupting volcanoes, battles, malaria and the ever-present danger of social failure.
Miller, J.C. and Del Casino, V. (2018) Negative simulation, spectacle and the embodied geopolitics of tourism, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 43 (4) 661-673
By placing a booking, you are permitting us to store and use your (and any other attendees) details in order to fulfil the booking. We will not use your details for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.
You must be a member holding a valid Society membership to view the content you are trying to access. Please login to continue.
Join us today, Society membership is open to anyone with a passion for geography
Cookies on the RGS website This site uses cookies to enhance your user experience. OK