Share:


The limits of creative approach: conducting an orchestra of emotions in the darkness

    Ilze Grinfelde Affiliation
    ; Linda Veliverronena Affiliation

Abstract

Soviet period has left behind number of uncomfortable, also unwanted heritage sites in Eastern Europe countries that are sensitive, emotionally loaded and easy to communicate neither for locals nor tourists. Such a site is Committee for State Security Building that functions as a museum of Communist regime victims in Riga, Latvia. The research discusses the balance between creativity and authentic simplicity in the designing visitors’ on-site experience in dark tourism objects. The aim of the study is to explore visitors’ emotions during visit to Committee for State Security Building in Riga and the role of a creative tourism product design in stimulating emotions. Visitors’ comments about their visit to the Committee for State Security Building on TripAdvisor were used as the main data source. The research results confirm walking tour in Committee for State Security Building generates memorable impressions and contrast the opinion that new layers of creativity to this dark tourism product would satisfy and entertain customer. The Committee for State Security Building in Riga is an example where creative tourism product design does not have a significant impact on the emotional experience of visitors because main sources of visitors’ experience are high quality performance of tour guides and their rich knowledge, personal stories, authentic atmosphere and interior of the building.

Article in English.


Kūrybinio požiūrio ribos: diriguojant emocijų orkestrui tamsoje

Santrauka

Rytų Europos šalyse sovietinis periodas paliko daugybę nemalonių ir nepageidaujamų paveldo vietų, kurios yra jautrios, įkrautos emociškai ir nelengvai komunikuojamos tiek vietinių, tiek turistų. Tokia vieta yra Valstybės saugumo komiteto pastatas, veikiantis kaip komunistinio režimo aukų muziejus Rygoje (Latvija). Tyrime aptariama pusiausvyra tarp kūrybiškumo ir autentiško paprastumo, modeliuojant lankytojų vietos potyrius tamsiojo turizmo objektuose. Tyrimo tikslas – paaiškinti lankytojų emocijas, lankantis Valstybės saugumo komiteto pastate Rygoje ir kūrybinio turizmo produkto dizaino vaidmenį sužadinant emocijas. Kaip pagrindiniu duomenų šaltiniu buvo pasinaudota lankytojų atsiliepimais apie jų apsilankymą Valstybės saugumo komiteto pastate TripAdvisor platformoje. Tyrimo rezultatai patvirtina, kad pasivaikščiojimas po Valstybės saugumo komiteto pastatą sukelia įsimintinų įspūdžių ir prieštarauja nuomonei, jog nauji šio tamsiojo turizmo produkto kūrybiškumo klodai patenkins ir pralinksmins klientą. Valstybės saugumo komiteto pastatas Rygoje – tai pavyzdys, kai kūrybinio turizmo produkto dizainas neturi reikšmingo poveikio lankytojų emociniams potyriams, nes pagrindiniai šaltiniai apie lankytojų patirtį yra aukštos kokybės turus vedančių gidų ir jų turimų gausių žinių, asmeninių istorijų, autentiškos atmosferos ir pastato interjero kuriamas spektaklis.

Reikšminiai žodžiai: tamsusis turizmas, kūrybiškumas, emocijos, turizmo produkto dizainas, lankytojo potyriai, lankytojo motyvacija.

Keyword : dark tourism, creativity, emotions, tourism product design, visitor experience, visitor motivation

How to Cite
Grinfelde, I., & Veliverronena, L. (2018). The limits of creative approach: conducting an orchestra of emotions in the darkness. Creativity Studies, 11(2), 362-376. https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2018.7183
Published in Issue
Dec 21, 2018
Abstract Views
985
PDF Downloads
638
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Benski, T., & Fisher, E. (2014). Introduction: investigation emotions and the internet. In T. Benski & E. Fisher (Eds.), Internet and emotions (pp. 1-16). Series: Routledge Studies in Science, Technology and Society. New York, London: Routledge, London: Routledge.

Biran, A., Poria, Y., & Oren, G. (2011). Sought experiences at (Dark) heritage sites. Annals of Tourism Research, 38(3), 820-841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2010.12.001

Caraba, C. C. (2011). Communist heritage tourism and red tourism: concepts, development and problems. Cinq Continents, 1(1), 29-39.

Chen, J. S., Prebensen, N. K., & Uysal, M. (2014). Dynamic drivers of tourist experiences. In N. K. Prebensen, J. S. Chen, & M. S. Uysal (Eds.), Creating experience value in tourism (pp. 11-21). London: CAB International.

Convery, I., Corsane, G., & Davis, P. (Eds.). (2014). Displaced heritage: responses to disaster, trauma, and loss. Series: Heritage Matters. P. G. Stone, P. Davis, Ch. Whitehead (Series Eds.). Woodbridge: The Boydel Press.

Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (1990). Grounded theory research: procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria. Qualitative Sociology, 13(1), 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988593

Desmet, P. M. A. (2008). Product emotion. In H. N. J. Schifferstein & P. Hekkert (Eds.), Product Experience (pp. 379-398). San Diego: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-008045089-6.50018-6

Desmet, P., & Hekkert, P. (2007). Framework of product experience. International Journal of Design, 1(1), 13-23.

Derks, D., Fischer, A. H., & Bos, A. E. R. (2008). The role of emotion in computer-mediated communication: a review. Computers in Human Behavior, 24(3), 766-785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2007.04.004

Diaz-Soria, I. (2017). Being a tourist as a chosen experience in a proximity destination. Tourism Geographies, 19(1), 96-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2016.1214976

Griškeviča, U., Garda, K., & Otto, M. (2015). Pastaigas pa neparasto Rīgu. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC.

Hochschild, A. R. (1990). Ideology and emotion management: a perspective and path for future research. In Th. D. Kemper (Ed.). Research agendas in the sociology of emotions (pp. 117-143). Albany: State University of New York Press.

Isaac, R. K., & Budryte-Ausiejiene, L. (2015). Interpreting the emotions of visitors: a study of visitor comment books at the Grūtas Park Museum, Lithuania. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 15(4), 400-424. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2015.1024818

Ivanov, S. H. (2009). Opportunities for developing Communist heritage tourism in Bulgaria. Tourism, 57(2), 177-192.

Jakoby, N. R., & Reiser, S. (2014). Grief 2.0: Exploring virtual cemeteries. In T. Benski & E. Fisher (Eds.), Internet and emotions (pp. 65-79). Series: Routledge Studies in Science, Technology and Society. New York, London: Routledge, London: Routledge.

Korstanje, M. E., & Ivanov, S. H. (2012). Tourism as a form of new psychological resilience: the inception of dark tourism. Cultur: Revista de Cultura e Turismo, 6(4), 56-71. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2168400

Krippendorff, K. (2004). Content analysis: an introduction to its methodology. Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi: SAGE Publications.

Küster, D., & Kappas, A. (2014). Measuring emotions in individuals and internet communities. In T. Benski & E. Fisher (Eds.), Internet and emotions (pp. 48-63). Series: Routledge Studies in Science, Technology and Society. New York, London: Routledge.

Lennon, J., & Foley, M. (2000). Dark tourism: the attraction of death and disaster. London and New York: Continuum.

likumi.lv. (1991). Par PSRS valsts drošības iestāžu darbības izbeigšanu Latvijas Republikā. Retrieved from https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=68765

Luminet, O., Bouts, P., Delie, F., Manstead, A. S. R., & Rimé, B. (2000). Social sharing of emotion following exposure to a negatively valenced situation. Cognition and Emotion, 14(5), 661-688. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930050117666

Macdonald, Sh. (2006). Undesirable heritage: fascist material culture and historical consciousness in Nuremberg. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 12(1), 9-28. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527250500384464

Merrill, S. (2010). War, terrorism & disaster beneath: The London Underground as a traumascape. In S. Merrill & L. Schmidt (Eds.), A reader in uncomfortable heritage and dark tourism (pp. 59-72). Cottbus: BTU Cottbus.

Messineo, E. (2012). Tourist creative processes and experiences in the European cultural itinerary “The Phoenicians’ Route”. Journal of Tourism Consumption and Practice, 4(2), 41-54.

Micallizzi, A. (2014). Anger, pain, shame, and cyber-voyeurism: emotions around E-Tragic events. In T. Benski & E. Fisher (Eds.), Internet and emotions (pp. 193-210). Series: Routledge Studies in Science, Technology and Society. New York, London: Routledge.

Miles, W. F. S. (2002). Auschwitz: museum interpretation and darker tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 29(4), 1175-1178. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-7383(02)00054-3

Minić, N. (2012). Development of “Dark” tourism in the contemporary society. Journal of Geographical Institute Cvijic, 62(3), 81-103. https://doi.org/10.2298/IJGI1203081M

Moss, S. (2009). Thrillertainment. In S. Moss (Ed.), The entertainment industry: an introduction (pp. 227-247). London: CAB International. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845935511.0227

Nawijn, J. (2016). Positive psychology in tourism: a critique. Annals of Tourism Research, 56, 151-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2015.11.004

Nawijn, J., & Fricke, M.-Ch. (2015). Visitor emotions and behavioral intentions: the case of Concentration Camp Memorial Neuengamme. International Journal of Tourism Research, 17(3), 221-228. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.1977

O’Dell, T. (2005). Experiencescapes: blurring borders and testing connections. In T. O’Dell & P. Billing (Eds.), Experiencescapes: tourism, culture, and economy (pp. 11-33). Copenhagen: Copenhagen Business School Press.

Pine, II B. J., & Gilmore, J. H. (2008). The eight principles of strategic authenticity. Strategy & Leadership, 36(3), 35-40. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878570810870776

Plutchik, R. (2001). The nature of emotions. American Scientist, 89(4), 344-350. https://doi.org/10.1511/2001.4.344

Plutchik, R., & Kellerman, H. (Eds.). (1980). Emotion: theory, research, and experience. Vol. 1: Theories of Emotion. New York: Academic Press, Inc.

Podoshen, J. S., Andrzejewski, S. A., Venkatesh, V., & Wallin, J. (2015). New approaches to dark tourism inquiry: a response to Isaac. Tourism Management, 51, 331-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.05.008

Poria, Y., Butler, R., & Airey, D. (2004). The meanings of heritage sites for tourists: the case of Massada. Tourism Analysis, 9(1-2), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.3727/1083542041437549

Prayag, G., Hosany, S., Muskat, B., & Del Chiappa, G. (2017). Understanding the relationships between tourists’ emotional experiences, perceived overall image, satisfaction, and intention to recommend. Journal of Travel Research, 56(1), 41-54. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287515620567

Richards, G. (2010). Tourism development trajectories – from culture to creativity. Revista Encontros Científicos, 6, 9-15.

Richards, G., & Wilson, J. (2006). Developing creativity in tourist experiences: a solution to the serial reproduction of culture? Tourism Management, 27(6), 1209-1223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.06.002

Russell, J. A. (1980). A Circumplex model of affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(6), 1161-1178. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0077714

Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 9(3), 185-211. https://doi.org/10.2190/DUGG-P24E-52WK-6CDG

Sather-Wagstaff, J. (2011). Heritage that hurts: tourists in the memoryscapes of September 11. Series: Heritage, Tourism, and Community. H. Silverman (Series Ed.). London and New York: Routledge.

Sharpley, R., & Stone, Ph. R. (Eds.). (2009). The darker side of travel: the theory and practice of dark tourism. Series: Aspects of Tourism. Ch. Cooper, C. M. Hall, D. J. Timothy (Series Eds.). Bristol: Channel View Publications.

Scherer, K. R. (1987). Toward a dynamic theory of emotion: the component process model of affective states. Retrieved from http://www.unige.ch/lettres/linguistique/Auchlin/MA-DiscoursProsodie/Emotion_paralinguistique/Scherer_1987.pdf

Scherer, K. R. (2005). What are emotions? And how can they be measured? Social Science Information, 44(4), 695-729. https://doi.org/10.1177/0539018405058216

Stone, Ph. (2006). A dark tourism spectrum: towards a typology of death and macabre related tourist sites, attractions and exhibitions. Tourism, 54(2), 145-160.

Stone, Ph., & Sharpley, R. (2008). Consuming dark tourism: a thanatological perspective. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(2), 574-595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2008.02.003

Timm Knudsen, B. (2011). Thanatourism: witnessing difficult pasts. Tourism Studies, 11(1), 55-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468797611412064

TripAdvisor. (2018). About TripAdvisor. Retrieved from https://tripadvisor.mediaroom.com/US-about-us

Tumarkin, M. (2005). Traumascapes: the power and fate of places transformed by tragedy. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.

Tunbridge, J. E., & Ashworth, G. J. (1996). Dissonant heritage: the management of the past as a resource in conflict. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Velmet, A. (2011). Occupied identities: national narratives in Baltic Museums of Occupations. Journal of Baltic Studies, 42(2), 189-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/01629778.2011.569065

Visit England. (2013). Domestic leisure tourism trends for the next decade. Retrieved from https://www.visitengland.com/sites/default/files/visit_england_report_print_tcm30-39493.pdf

Walls, A. R., Okumus, F., Wang, Y. (R.), & Joon-Wuk Kwun D. (2011). An epistemological view of consumer experiences. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 30(1), 10-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2010.03.008

Weiler, B., & Walker, K. (2014). Enhancing the visitor experience: reconceptualising the tour guide’s communicative role. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 21, 90-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2014.08.001

Wood, E., & Latham, K. F. (2016). The objects of experience: transforming visitor-object encounters in museums. Oxon: Routledge.

Zatori, A., Smith, M. K., & Puczko, L. (2018). Experience-involvement, memorability and authenticity: the service provider’s effect on tourist experience. Tourism Management, 67, 111-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.12.013