Study
Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Post-Disaster 'Darventure' Tourism Model Enhances Community Resilience and Economic Recovery

Integrating dark tourism with adventure tourism in disaster-affected regions can create a unique, resilient economic model that supports community recovery.

Journal of Tourism & Adventure · 2020

01

Key Findings

  • 01Adventure tourism hosts demonstrated resilience through unified reconstruction efforts.
  • 02A unique tourism prototype, 'darventure' tourism, can be developed by combining dark tourism and adventure tourism.
  • 03This 'darventure' model can coexist and complement both dark and adventure tourism practices.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Consider integrating diverse visitor interests, such as those drawn to dark tourism and adventure, to create innovative and resilient tourism models in challenging environments.

How to apply

When designing tourism experiences for regions impacted by significant events, explore the potential for combining different niche interests to create a more robust and appealing offering.

Project actions

  • 01When researching a new product or service, look for ways to combine existing, seemingly unrelated concepts.
  • 02Consider the emotional and psychological impact of your design on users, especially in sensitive contexts.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo explore the potential of 'darventure' tourism (a blend of dark and adventure tourism) as a model for post-disaster recovery and community resilience in the Langtang region of Nepal.
MethodQualitative ethnographic study utilizing participant observation, semi-structured interviews, informal interviews, content analysis, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and household visits.
ProcedureResearchers conducted a 'post-disaster tour' in the Langtang area, observing the environment and engaging with locals and visitors to understand the dynamics of tourism in a region recovering from a major earthquake and avalanche.
ContextTourism in disaster-affected regions, specifically the Langtang region of Nepal following the 2015 earthquake.

Variables

IVIntegration of dark tourism and adventure tourism elements.
DVCommunity resilience, economic recovery, tourism appeal.
CVGeographical location (Langtang region), type of disaster (earthquake, avalanche), existing tourism infrastructure.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Presents a novel and innovative tourism model ('darventure').
  • +Utilizes a comprehensive qualitative research methodology to explore complex social and economic phenomena.

Limitations

The ethical implications of marketing tragedy as a tourist attraction need careful consideration. The long-term economic and social impacts of 'darventure' tourism are not fully explored.

Reliability & validity

The qualitative nature of the study relies on the researcher's interpretation and participant accounts, which can introduce subjectivity. Triangulation of data sources (interviews, observation, content analysis) enhances validity.

Think critically

What are the ethical considerations of marketing tragedy and disaster sites as tourist destinations, and how can these be mitigated while still achieving the economic benefits described?

05

Design Principles

"Embrace hybridity in tourism offerings to maximize appeal and economic viability, especially in post-disaster contexts."

This research offers a novel approach to revitalizing tourism in areas devastated by natural disasters. By blending the morbid fascination of dark tourism with the thrill-seeking appeal of adventure tourism, destinations can attract a diverse range of visitors, thereby accelerating economic recovery and fostering community resilience through a unified reconstruction effort.

06

What This Means for Your Design

You can create a new type of tourism by mixing scary/sad tourism (dark tourism) with exciting adventure tourism. This can help places that have been hit by disasters to recover and rebuild.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when exploring innovative product development or service design, particularly in the context of resilience and recovery.
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Add to My Project

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Quick Cite

(2020). Thanatology Tourism in Nepal Himalayan Region: A Case of Langtang. Journal of Tourism & Adventure. https://doi.org/10.3126/jota.v3i1.31355 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/25add87b-1e3c-4498-8be8-871570bee1e2/post-disaster-darventure-tourism-model-enhances-community-resilience-and-economic-recovery

Paragraph starter

The concept of 'darventure' tourism, as explored in the Langtang region, demonstrates how the integration of distinct market segments, such as dark tourism and adventure tourism, can foster community resilience and economic recovery in post-disaster scenarios. This innovative approach highlights the potential for designers to create hybrid experiences that cater to diverse motivations, thereby enhancing the viability and impact of design interventions in challenging environments.

09

Source

Journal of Tourism & Adventure

Thanatology Tourism in Nepal Himalayan Region: A Case of Langtang

journal · 2020

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about post-disaster 'darventure' tourism model enhances community resilience and economic recovery?
Consider integrating diverse visitor interests, such as those drawn to dark tourism and adventure, to create innovative and resilient tourism models in challenging environments. Evidence: Journal of Tourism & Adventure (2020).
Why does "Post-Disaster 'Darventure' Tourism Model Enhances Community Resilience and Economic Recovery" matter for design?
This research offers a novel approach to revitalizing tourism in areas devastated by natural disasters. By blending the morbid fascination of dark tourism with the thrill-seeking appeal of adventure tourism, destinations can attract a diverse range of visitors, thereby accelerating economic recovery and fostering community resilience through a unified reconstruction effort.
How can designers apply this research?
Consider integrating diverse visitor interests, such as those drawn to dark tourism and adventure, to create innovative and resilient tourism models in challenging environments.
What were the main findings?
Adventure tourism hosts demonstrated resilience through unified reconstruction efforts.. A unique tourism prototype, 'darventure' tourism, can be developed by combining dark tourism and adventure tourism.. This 'darventure' model can coexist and complement both dark and adventure tourism practices.
What research method was used?
Qualitative ethnographic study utilizing participant observation, semi-structured interviews, informal interviews, content analysis, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and household visits..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from Journal of Tourism & Adventure.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing tourism experiences for regions impacted by significant events, explore the potential for combining different niche interests to create a more robust and appealing offering.
What are the limitations?
The study is a case study of a specific region and may not be universally applicable without adaptation. The long-term sustainability and ethical considerations of 'darventure' tourism require further investigation.
Is there evidence that tourism affects design outcomes?
The study found that by combining elements of dark tourism (focusing on death and tragedy) with adventure tourism, a new model called 'darventure' tourism can be created. This approach not only attracts visitors but also aids in the recovery and resilience of communities affected by disasters. This research offers a no Source: Journal of Tourism & Adventure (2020).
Where does this dark tourism research apply?
Tourism in disaster-affected regions, specifically the Langtang region of Nepal following the 2015 earthquake. It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

tourism design research · evidence on tourism · does tourism improve design outcomes · dark tourism studies for designers · tourism and dark tourism findings · innovation & design research evidence