Embodied Effect in Dark Tourism: A New Perspective on Dark Tourism Research
Prof. Xingyang LYU
Professor, School of Business Administration
Southwestern University of Finance and Economics
Date: 19 February 2025
Time: 14:30 – 16:00
Venue: E22 – G015
Host: Prof. Stella LIU, Assistant Professor in Integrated Resort and Tourism Management
Abstract
Dark tourism is a special type of tourism. But why is it referred to as “dark”? Does a darker scene lead to a deeper psychological experience of darkness?
Dark carries a unique metaphorical significance. The visual experience of dark has a direct impact on the psychology of tourists. This is reflected in a distinct embodied effect: tourists’ experiences of dark tourism are expressed through visual forms such as photographs or paintings, which can be accurately decoded by other tourists. This closed relationship indicates that visual dark serves as a non-verbal and cross-cultural universal code that can be understood by visitors from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Moreover, the darkness of the tourism scene not only refers to the brightness in two-dimensional images but also includes the illumination in three-dimensional environments, both of which affect tourists’ dark experiences. After experiencing painful dark tourism, tourists often develop a series of compensatory needs, such as a greater willingness to choose plush toy souvenirs for comfort. This seminar will explore how to conduct research on dark tourism from an embodied perspective.
Speaker
Lyu Xingyang is a professor in the Department of Tourism Management at Southwest University of Finance and Economics and a doctoral supervisor. He is recognized as a social science elite under the “Tianfu Qingcheng Plan” in Sichuan Province and is a reserve candidate for provincial academic and technical leaders. He serves as an expert for the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the field editor for Tourism Science, a youth committee member for Tourism and Hospitality Prospects, and an editorial board member for Tourism Management. His research focuses on tourism marketing.
All are welcome!
