Dark Heritage Tourism in Portugal: A Resource to Explore

As cultural tourism becomes the fastest-growing segment in the tourism industry in Europe, dark tourism, a niche form of tourism encompassing visits to sites associated with death, tragedies and suffering, has gained increasing attention. This paper aims to shed light on the potential of dark tourism in Portugal by examining three case studies: Inquisition-related heritage, the macabre heritage and prison-related tourism. Drawing upon a multidisciplinary approach, including historical analysis and qualitative research, this study investigates the significance and appeal of these dark tourism segments, presenting these case studies as models of best practices that delve into the ethical and management concerns raised by the commoditisation and memorialisation of these sites.