Dark tourism intentions: moderating effect of xenophobia

ABSTRACT This study examines the determinants of visitors’ intentions to visit places associated with death, sufferings and violence. The relationships of dark tourism intention with each of its determinants were tested for the moderating impact of xenophobia. The study utilizes survey of 581 visitors of Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, India. The findings of SmartPLS (v.3.2.8) suggested that commemoration, knowledge, curiosity and social obligation significantly influenced dark tourism intentions. The moderating impact of xenophobia was significant on commemoration and social obligation relationship with dark tourism intentions. Nevertheless, xenophobia did not play any role in affecting the relationship of either curiosity or knowledge with dark tourism intentions. The study concludes with several implications, limitations and future scope of research.