The Relationship Between Serial Murder and the American Tourism Industry
Title:
The Relationship Between Serial Murder and the American Tourism Industry
Author:
Gibson, Dirk C.
Appeared in:
Journal of travel & tourism marketing
Paging:
Volume 20 (2006) nr. 1 pages 45-60
Year:
2006-10-12
Contents:
Serial murder is a serious national problem, with substantial implications for tourism. In general, serial murder depresses business activity, with one important partial exceptiontourism. The present study analyzes the relationship between serial killing and public travel and tourism associated with such criminal activity. It was found that serial murder is a quantitatively significant criminal conduct, and it is increasing. The general pattern of public response to serial murder includes reduced shopping and tourism behavior, due to fear. However, serial murder also stimulates public interest in visiting serial crime sites, and numerous cases of such travel and tourism have been caused by serial murder, as documented in the present study. Typical serial murder tourism activity includes travel, sightseeing, entertainment, dining, refreshments, lodging, photo-opportunities, and the acquisition of souvenirs. Wound culture theory may explain this type of tourist behavior, which falls within the emerging genre of thanatourism.
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