In today's Finshots, we discuss a slightly interesting topic called dark tourism.

But before that, we know many of you are curious about the ins and outs of investing in the Ola Electric IPO and whether it’s worth your cash. So, we put together a video to break it all down for you. Click here to see our take on whether you should jump in!

Now, on to today’s story.

The Story

When you type 'Catacombs of Paris' into your Google search bar, you’ll likely stumble upon Tripadvisor’s guide to must-visit places in Paris. Scrolling through, you’ll find over 8,000 reviews for this intriguing site and an impressive 4-star rating.

Among these reviews, one caught our eye, and it read: “Exploring the Paris Catacombs was an awe-inspiring journey beneath the city's streets. The cool, silent tunnels lined with the bones of over six million Parisians created a hauntingly beautiful testament to history.” Another one read, “The entire family was intrigued. We spent about an hour here. Our kids are still talking about it!”

For starters, the Parisian Catacombs, which have been around since the 18th century, serve as an underground burial site for more than six million people. It's one of the largest cemeteries globally, covering an area of around 280 square kilometres and reaching a depth of 65 feet. However, only a small section is open to tourists.

Here, one of two thoughts might cross your mind.

“This is interesting. I must add it to my itinerary when I visit Paris.”

Or you might ask yourself, “Who would willingly descend to the eerie depths of a city like Paris to see human remains?"

Well, believe it or not, upwards of 500 thousand people do this every year!

And it may be happening in India too.

Last week, the Kerala Police took to X (formerly Twitter) to request members of the public to avoid visiting landslide-hit areas in Wayanad for sightseeing. And NDTV in turn wrote an article on this subject calling it dark tourism.

Now, bear in mind, Wayanad is a popular tourist destination. So the advisory may just have been a word of caution. But there is also good reason to believe that an increasing number of people are taking to visit places drowning in distress, danger, and unsettling sights.

And this is what we want to discuss today - dark tourism.

Let’s start by looking at the works of John Lennon, a Professor at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.

He argues that there's always been a morbid fascination with historical sites embroiled in death and disaster; and that places like cemeteries, disaster zones, battlefields, and crime scenes captivate our curiosity because they offer a glimpse into the complexities of human history.

It’s like that HBO series ‘Chernobyl’. It dramatised history’s most dreadful nuclear disaster and sparked renewed interest in tourism in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Visitors from across the world started pouring into the site to learn about the tragic event. In 2019, the tourist flow at the exclusion zone peaked at over 124 thousand visitors, a substantial increase compared to previous years. That's when the Ukrainian president decided to make the site an official tourist destination and give it new life.

So a confluence of media, human intrigue and political intervention gave rise to a new tourist spot.

But it’s not always driven by intrigue.

Some of these places also serve as important memorials and educational opportunities.

Take, for example, World War II Holocaust sites, the 9/11 Ground Zero memorial, and our own Jallianwala Bagh. These destinations attract visitors because people want to pay their respects to the victims and learn about important historical events. It’s not always morbid. It can also be a deeply respectful gesture.

There’s also another reason why such gloomy places attract tourists.

It’s because people often experience a mix of fear and excitement when they visit such locations. It's as if confronting danger and fear makes them feel alive. And it’s not a new phenomenon either.

In ancient Rome, for instance, the Colosseum was a stage for the brutal sport of gladiatorial combat. Spectators flocked to see warriors engage in life-or-death battles. Their bloodshed served as a grim form of public entertainment.

Fast forward to 17th and 18th century London, where the imposing Tyburn Tree played host to grisly public executions and turned into a macabre social gathering.

In more recent years, the book The Hot Zone by Richard Preston introduced readers to the chilling realities of viral outbreaks, focusing on the Ebola virus. One of the locations highlighted in the book is Kitum Cave in Kenya, a site believed to be associated with the origins of certain deadly viruses. After the book's release, Kitum Cave became a destination for a new band of thrill seekers.

And like regular tourism, dark tourism also provides significant economic benefits to the countries that host these visits. The dark tourism market is approximately valued at $31.86 billion in 2024 and might reach $38.13 billion by 2031. It’s one of the reasons why Kitum Cave was only briefly closed to the public and continues to remain open to this day. And with the advent of social media, you can bet that this number is only going one way and that’s “up”.

However, not everyone feels the same way about dark tourism.

Take for instance, the 2011 nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, triggered by a devastating earthquake and tsunami. The disaster left deep scars, with homes, livelihoods, and lives lost. Since then the local communities have been hesitant to encourage visitors to the area.

Similarly, in June 2017, London witnessed the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed 71 lives. In the aftermath, tourists began arriving to take photos, including selfies, which deeply distressed the residents. One resident emphasised that Grenfell Tower is not a tourist attraction like the Eiffel Tower, indicating the inappropriateness of such behaviour.

In both instances, the idea of tourists visiting the site feels intrusive to the local communities still struggling to rebuild. The presence of curious visitors can be a painful reminder of their ongoing hardships. So yes, every tragic place cannot be a source of sightseeing and enjoyment.

We can only say that tourism, including dark tourism, is here to stay. And if you're ever planning on one, make sure you stay safe and, more importantly, sensitive to the sentiments of the place you visit!

Until then…

Don't forget to share this story on WhatsApp, LinkedIn and X.

📢Finshots is also on WhatsApp Channels. Click here to follow us and get your daily financial fix in just 3 minutes.

🚨Term Life Insurance Prices are About to INCREASE!

A prominent insurer is set to raise their term insurance rates in the next few weeks. This means if you don’t secure a term plan now, your premiums could significantly go up!

Here’s why this matters: When you purchase a term life insurance policy, you pay a premium or a small fee each year to protect against financial risks. In the unfortunate event of your passing, the insurance company pays out a substantial sum to your family or loved ones.

The best part? By buying early, you can lock in your premiums, ensuring they're not affected by any future rate hikes.

If you've been considering a term plan, now is the perfect time to act. To assist you in the process, our advisory team at Ditto is here to help. Click on the link here to book a FREE call with our IRDAI-certified advisors.