Dark Tourism, Beyond Fear and Sadness: Development of Contemporary Tourism Management in Indonesia, Dr Ni Made Puteri, Fidan Safira, Ravita Sari
Dr Ni Made Martini Puteri
Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Universitas Indonesia
Indonesia
ORCID: 0009-0007-2324-2087
Fidan Safira
Jakarta Smart City
Jakarta Provincial Government
Indonesia
ORCID: 0000-0002-9107-0412
Ravita Sari
Universitas Indonesia, Depok
West Java
Indonesia
ORCID: 0000-0002-8903-1246
Paper Type: Research
Received: 5 December 2024 / Revised: 5 February 2025 / Accepted: 19 February 2025 / Published: 15 August 2025
DOI: 10.47556/J.WJEMSD.21.4.2025.1
Purpose: This paper examines the tourist’s experience and emotional responses to encountering dark tourism destinations in Tana Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing qualitative methods and a phenomenological approach, the study highlights the dual nature of dark tourism in creating both positive and negative emotions for tourists.
Findings: The negative emotions in Torajan death and burial traditions are transformed into positive motivations. Tourists often leave with a deeper cultural understanding and a renewed commitment to good deeds. Storytelling skills and experience of tour guides in conveying the rituals’ religious and cultural philosophies are key to shaping tourists’ emotions and transformative journeys.
Originality/Value: This research examines the transformative emotional experiences of tourists in Tana Toraja’s dark tourism context, emphasising how negative emotions are transformed into positive motivations and inspire good deeds.
Research Implications: This research advocates for ethical tourism management strategies that respect local communities while promoting economic growth and cultural preservation.
Keywords: Dark Tourism; Death Rituals; Local Wisdom; Criminology; Toraja.
Citation: Puteri, D. N. M. M., Safira, F. and Sari, R. (2025): Dark Tourism, Beyond Fear and Sadness: Development of Contemporary Tourism Management in Indonesia. W World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development (WJEMSD), Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 285-301.
