Dark Tourism
Managing the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Commodification
Seaton (2009) states that it is 'unacceptable to profit from the dead'. However, West (2000) argues that “All too often the past is idealized and packaged, not to invite challenge, but to merely to act as a backdrop for the leisure events that attract the paying public".
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In today's modern society sites associated with death and disaster have now become a popularity for mass consumption. The Ground Zero site has become commodified due to its iconic popularity throughout the world in relation to the events that occurred there. People today still know their exact whereabouts the moment the news got through about what happened that morning in Lower Manhattan.
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In relation to a management issue of the commodification of the 9/11 memorial & museum, it is argued by many, whether it is acceptable to charge visitors to enter. It is free for visitors to see the memorial fountains, but, entry to the museum ranges from $15-$44 (911memorial, 2017). Sharpley & Stone (2009) indicate that charging in this instance is not only a method of funding the museum but it acts as a form of visitor control. However, it should be noted that families of the 9/11 victims, rescue workers & active or retired U.S personnel are allowed entry free of charge. The museum also offers a free admission to all every Tuesday.
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The profits from the items on sale within the 9/11 museum store are used as funding for developing and sustaining the memorial 911memorial (2017). This can allow any potential consumers of the products to feel at ease upon purchasing them but is also a clever marketing incentive.
However, as a result of this they are essentially profiting from the idea of death and suffering (Seaton, 2009; Macdonald, 2012; cited in Brown. 2013).
Alongside the kitschification products on offer within the 9/11 museums store, visitors have the opportunity to become a member of the museum. As of January 2017, membership prices vary from $74 - $2000 with consumers reaping many benefits such as unlimited free entry into the museum and discount in 9/11 stores (911memorial, 2017). This leads one to believe is the site becoming over-commodified?
Kitschification
To your right you will see some photos from a personal visit to the 9/11 museum of the kitsch products on offer. Some of these products consist of; mugs, flags, books, pens, key-rings, t-shirts & DVD's. Although initially it may seem that the selling of these items are disrespectful and cheap; further research has shown that these items can provide feelings of comfort, safety and hope for visitors (Sharpley and Stone, 2009).
‘Commodification for dark tourism often results in kitsch forms of commemoration and the introduction of tourist souvenirs evidently showcase this kitschification’ (adapted from Sharpley and Stone, 2009).
It is then essential for sites and products to be appropriate and socially acceptable in order to maintain respect for victims and people closely related to the disaster (Sharpley and Stone, 2009; Brown, 2013). However, to maintain the business side of this sector, these things still need to be accessible for mass consumption in order to sell (Janes, 2009 cited in Brown, 2013).
