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According to the definition, visiting any specific destination to explore and unfold the darkest event of human history is known as dark tourism. This journey involves much of the darker side of the travel which includes massacre, genocide, harlotry or flesh trade, ethnic cleansing, war, or disaster which is either natural and accidental or created by humans. Many international and domestic tourists travel around different states of India to explore its culture and community, foods and festivals, art, crafts and music, and the climate. The idea behind “dark tourism” is highly sensitive in the case of the Indian tourism context as Indian culture is much more possessive and protective compared to Western culture. The idea behind dark tourism and its utilization started in 1996; the phenomenon of this tourism mainly exists within a destination and is mainly controlled by societies and political regimes. This augmented exploration either encourages or discourages a tourist from exploring a destination for solo or group travel or restricts them due to psychological and social aspects. Many people think that dark tourism can increase interest in committing crimes and may increase the criminal mindset among individuals. The main objective of this research is to explore the major constraints and challenges of dark tourism.

Visits to locations connected to historical atrocities, tragedy, suffering, or presumably dreadful events are referred to as “dark tourism”. While Bangladesh may not be widely known for dark tourism, several unexplored avenues may be of interest to those who engage in this type of unique and unconventional tourism experience. In addition to creating job opportunities and income generation in Bangladesh, it can achieve educational objectives, communicate with a broad audience, raise awareness of events of the past, and quench people's thirst for information, which can help them to comprehend a society. Though Bangladesh has several somber locations connected to tragic events including World War II, liberation war sites, mass killing sites, shipbreaking yards, Rohingya refugee camps, riots, and the mother language movement, traditional tourism predominates there. If managed responsibly, these varied resources, somber locations, and histories, some of which date back to 1800, could make Bangladesh a dark tourism destination. Although dark tourism in Bangladesh has the potential to contribute to historical awareness, preservation, educational opportunities, and socioeconomic development, it is yet unexplored due to a lack of knowledge, experience, policy, effective marketing, and some controversies. By approaching responsibly, Bangladesh can leverage its history to attract visitors' interests in exploring the darker aspects of the country's past. Hence, this chapter is designed to explore the status and potential significance, prospects, and challenges of dark tourism in Bangladesh. The findings will help policymakers, tourists, and other stakeholders to explore and enjoy enormous benefits from Bangladesh's untapped dark tourism opportunities.

Tourism often conjures notions of relaxation, joy, and pleasure. The tourism industry caters to providing leisure experiences to people, whose preferences have evolved significantly over time. With a shift toward alternative tourism rather than traditional mass travel, the emergence of Niche Tourism becomes pivotal. While India has made strides in niche tourism, one particular facet remains unexplored: Dark Tourism. This form of tourism has gained immense popularity globally in the 21st century. As tourist preferences evolve and the concept of special interest tourism takes root, policymakers in the tourism sector worldwide are compelled to include this segment in their strategies. Several nations, previously impacted by conflict or lacking in tourism infrastructure, have embraced dark tourism to gain a competitive edge in attracting visitors. India's tourism industry has yet to delve into offering dark tourism as a product. A successful product hinges on customers' perceptions of its ability to meet their expectations. Without awareness among potential customers, even the most exceptional product can falter. This chapter aims to explore the potential of dark tourism in India by gauging the public perception of this form of tourism. It will also address potential challenges in developing dark tourism in India and propose recommendations to foster the growth of this tourism segment.