The objective of this study is to rectify a notable methodological shortcoming in dark tourism research, which has predominantly depended on self-reported experiences, interviews and qualitative analyses. It advocates for an interdisciplinary methodology that combines eye-tracking technology and netnography to produce empirical, behaviour-oriented insights regarding visitor engagement and digital memory practices. Hungary serves as a case study to illustrate how these methodologies can improve ethical interpretation, display design and visitor experience management.
A systematic literature analysis underscores the deficiencies of existing approaches in accurately capturing real-time cognitive and emotional responses of visitors. The research examines how eye-tracking measures visual attention and emotional arousal, whereas netnography analyses digital discourse and online memorial practices. A complete methodology is proposed to evaluate both on-site involvement and post-visit digital reflection through the integration of both methodologies.
Despite increasing scholarly interest, dark tourism research seldom employs biometric or digital ethnographic methodologies. This study illustrates that their combination provides a more profound comprehension of cognitive load, emotional responses and ethical discourse. Hungarian instances, such as the House of Terror Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Center, underscore the framework’s practical and ethical significance.
The results provide pragmatic insights for site managers, curators and tourist experts. Eye-tracking enhances exhibit design by discerning attention patterns and emotional reactions, whereas netnography uncovers public mood and commemorative trends, so facilitating more ethical and engaging interpretative tactics.
This study presents an innovative, transportable methodological framework that transitions dark tourism research from historical narratives to real-time behavioural and digital analysis, enhancing both academic comprehension and site management strategies.
