The motivations that are driving new Dark Tourist Attractions to emerge have often been the focal point of criticism amongst academia (Stone, 2006; Seaton, 1996). It is of great significance to recognise political influences when particularly studying attractions that present history that contains punishment, as the approach to perspective by the visitors will also determine the interpretation opportunities. It is also worth noting that attractions may receive negative or positive responses from external political channels, which could either protest against the existence of such, or could even be developed to communicate selective political ideologies to vulnerable visitors (Sharpley, 2009: 147).

 

Indeed, an alternative also exists within attractions and the political influences which can be conveyed to visitors. This exists, not amongst the management of the attraction, but within the political members being visitors themselves. As mentioned throughout this website, imprisonment and punishment are often connected with political associations, and as such provide the ideal commercial platform in which to deliver philosophies on a social level (Sharpley, 2009).