Tourism and Memory: Visitor Experiences of the Nazi and GDR Past

This book examines how domestic and international visitors negotiate their visits to German concentration camp memorials, the House of the Wannsee Conference, and the former Stasi prison Bautzen II, challenging established theories in tourism and memory studies. It argues that memorial sites are melting pots where family, national, and global narratives meet, and that the immediacy of the space is the most important part of the visit.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the realm of tourism at memorial sites, offering a fresh perspective that challenges prevailing theories in the fields of tourism and memory studies. Through meticulous observations and insightful exit interviews, the author explores how domestic and international visitors navigate their visits to renowned German sites, including Ravensbrück and Flossenbürg concentration camps, the House of the Wannsee Conference, and the former Stasi prison Bautzen II. What emerges is a profound understanding of how memorial sites serve as melting pots where family, national, and global narratives converge. For German visitors, these sites represent a confronting encounter with Germany's historical responsibility for the two dictatorships, while international visitors perceive them as a means of witnessing firsthand the atrocities of the past.

What sets this book apart is its unwavering commitment to an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon insights from German Studies, Tourism and Heritage Studies, Museum Studies, Public History, and Memory Studies. The author's comprehensive analysis sheds light on the complex dynamics that shape visitors' experiences at these sites, emphasizing the profound impact of the immediate spatial environment on their emotional and intellectual journey.

With its engaging writing style and rich scholarship, this book appeals to a wide range of academics and students interested in exploring the multifaceted dimensions of tourism, memory, and historical consciousness. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the role of memorial sites in shaping public narratives and fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human history.

Weight: 298g
Dimension: 233 x 156 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032004990