Dark Hospitality: Significance for Adventure Tourist Attraction in UK

This report delves into the burgeoning field of dark hospitality, examining its appeal to adventure tourists. It focuses on the significance of specific locations in the UK, particularly Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78 in London, as prime examples of dark hospitality destinations. The report outlines the research aim to identify the importance of dark hospitality in attracting adventure tourists. The objectives include developing basic knowledge of dark hospitality in the UK, determining the significance of the selected locations, and investigating methods for attracting more tourists. A critical review of literature explores the concept of dark hospitality, highlighting examples like Clink78 and Charleston Haunted Jail. The report uses a descriptive research design and the research onion model to guide the methodology. The report investigates ways to attract tourists, including marketing strategies and staff training. The report offers insights into the current trends, historical context, and potential for future development within the hospitality sector, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of dark tourism and its impact.

DARK HOSPITALITY
Table of Contents
Topic: DARK HOSPITALITY........................................................................................................1
Introduction to the topic...................................................................................................................1
Research aim and objectives..................................................................................................1

Rationale for selection of topic...............................................................................................2
Research questions.................................................................................................................2
Critical review of the literature........................................................................................................2
To develop basic knowledge regarding the dark hospitality and places in UK.....................2
To determine the significance of Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London as a
dark hospitality places in attraction of adventure tourists......................................................4
To investigate the ways for attracting adventure tourists towards Somerset's Shepton Mallet
Prison and Clink78, London as a dark hospitality places.......................................................4
Methodology approach and research design....................................................................................5
Data analysis and plan.....................................................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
Timetable.........................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

Topic: DARK HOSPITALITY
Introduction to the topic
The concept of dark hospitality is basically associated with the people who choose the hotel
to die to feel the darkness and adventures of that place where people lost their lives in past (Dark
hospitality: Hotels as places for the end of life, 2021). The impact of managing such guests is
also investigated and the results suggest that although managers do care about the impact on the
reputation of the hotel, they, along with their staff, are very much affected emotionally by these
types of planned deaths (Bornarel and et. al., 2021). A recent boom and change is seen in
hospitality sector who argued that the development of luxury hospice hotels is a natural
development of the retirement village or nursing home that offers a new product for the
hospitality sector, albeit one with distinct ethical challenges, but one that takes hospitality back
to its original roots. Market testing of the hospice hotel concept would help to assess the demand
of this market segment. Further, a boom and recent trend is also seen in the concept of
developing some past old prison or haunted place in hotels which provide an adventures and
entertaining trip and accommodation for guests (Li, 2021). Thus, current investigation is carry
out on the topic of Dark Hospitality which comprises of an analysis of significance of Somerset's
Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London and other dark hospitality places in attraction of
adventure tourists.
Research aim and objectives
Research Aim
The main aim of conducting and leading out current investigation is, “To identify the
importance of dark hospitality in attraction of adventure tourists towards dark hospitality places”.
A Study on Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London.
Research Objectives
The main purpose and resercah objectives set out for current investigation on Somerset's
Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London and other dark hospitality places are listed as below:
 To develop basic knowledge regarding the dark hospitality and places in UK.
 To determine the significance of Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London
as a dark hospitality places in attraction of adventure tourists.
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 To investigate the ways for attracting adventure tourists towards Somerset's Shepton
Mallet Prison and Clink78, London as a dark hospitality places.
Rationale for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic is rationale as dark hospitality is becoming more
and more significant in attracting larger numbers of customers. thus, it become vital and
significant to analyses about the concept of dark hospitality along with having analysis of their
role in attracting larger number of customers and guests. Beside this, the selection of current
research topic is also justifiable and rationale as it provides evaluation of all possible ways for
attracting adventure tourists which would lead a positive impact on hospitality sector. Apart from
this, it has been analysed that selection of current research topic is also rationale and significant
from the personal view point of researcher as it supports meeting of academic and educational
perspective. Further, improvement in skills and managerial knowledge is also a key significance
of current research project.
Research questions
 What information you are having about the dark hospitality and these kind of places in
UK?
 What significant role is played by Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78,
London as a dark hospitality places in attraction of adventure tourists?
 Which can be the possible ways for attracting adventure tourists towards Somerset's
Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London as a dark hospitality places?
Critical review of the literature
This section of a research proposal facilitates information and analysis of secondary form of
information which is collected and gathered with the help of various online articles and journal
an analysis of which is provided as follows:
To develop basic knowledge regarding the dark hospitality and places in UK.
As per the view point of Dagney Mckinney, 2021, the concept of dark hospitality is mainly
associated and related with the places which are associated with some historically associated
tragedy and death and also comprises of past old prison where prisoners were kept for torture.
Thus, the concept of dark hospitality is mainly related and associated with the converting a dark
or haunted place such as old prion or tragedy place associated with death and suffering into a
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new place and hotel. The main theme and aspect of dark hospitality is thus, based on adventure
and excitement of that place. Some of the places in UK which are famous for dark Hospitality
are provided and discussed below:
The Clink Prison converted into Clink78 a hipster Hostel in London- the Clink78 is
situated at the English Heritage building which is one of the grand looking youth hostels and
hotel. But in the past it used to a magistrate’s court and many death sentences were served to
criminals of London for over 200 years (WELCOME TO CLINK PRISON, 2021). Today the cells
of this old prison has converted in into rooms for fire and also dormitories for larger groups. The
Clink was a prison in Southwark, England, which operated from the 12th century until 1780. The
prison served the Liberty of the Clink, a local manor area owned by the Bishop of Winchester
rather than by the reigning monarch (Lennon and Tiberghien, 2021). Today this, old prison has
been converted into a museum and hotel and also as hostel room where the managers and staff
has tried to regret the conditions of the original prison to provide a thrilling and adventure trip
and stay for the tourist and guest.
Charleston Haunted Jail- It is also form a one of the darkest place of UK which offers a
historical and intimidating look into the city’s most haunted building the old city jail. The
structure of Charleston Jail is castle like and grey and frim which was once the home of the most
disturbed and threating criminal of the downtown and now converted into a dark tourist spot. It
has been analysed that during the time of 1802 till 1939 thousands of men, women and even
children were wrongly jailed and confines intro to prison who were died there and leads to
unsettled spirts of those people which used to longer in the jail toady. This haunting story and
presence of ghosts and some unusual aspects has made it more adventures and interesting for
visitors and guests (Gürlek, 2021).
Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison- The Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison which is
sometime commonly known as Cornhill is a well-known former prison which is located at
Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England which was closed in 2013 as was the oldest operating prison.
This prison is having a very rich history where 18 American servicemen were executed at the
prison, sixteen were hanged in the execution block and two were shot by a firing squad in the
prison yard apart from this many more punishment and death also took place in this prison. Thus,
this historically background and old prison structure is making a suitable place for adventure
lover (Bode, 2021). Therefore, the prison was bot to sale by Ministry of justice after its closure
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and now it is being converting it into prison heritage centre with hotel, bar and restaurants as
well as housing, or converting the complex into a museum, gym, a hotel and ghost and horror
tours.
To determine the significance of Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London as a
dark hospitality places in attraction of adventure tourists.
With respect to the view point of Jang, S., Chong, K. and Yoo, C., 2021, it has been
analysed that a significant role is played by Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London as a
dark hospitality places in attraction of adventure tourists as they provide a place to stay and
accommodate which is full of thriller and adventure. A sense of horror and thrilling experience is
created by dark hospitality among with making guests aware about the history and other
tragedian instance happened at that place thus pays a vital role in attracting larger number of
tourist and guests. It has been seen and analysed that Adventure travel and staying at dark place
brings an individual’s closer to their inner self and gives the chance to examine and challenge
ourselves (Flynn, 2021). The fact behind significance of dark hospitality in attracting larger
number of guests and customers based on the fact that it steps deep into the unknown and take
risks makes us realise that we need to put in greater attention thus, as a result customers develop
an intense state of self-awareness with dark places which attract them in larger number. Thus, an
analysis can be made out that dark hospitality leads to experience associated with death, disaster
and destruction along with horrific affects which plays a vital role in attracting and catering
interest of larger number of adventure tourist and visitors.
To investigate the ways for attracting adventure tourists towards Somerset's Shepton Mallet
Prison and Clink78, London as a dark hospitality places
As per the view point of Ram, Y., 2021, there are many ways for attracting adventure
tourists towards Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London as a dark hospitality
places comprises of making attractive brochures and setting and promoting them to attract and
cater larger number of participants. Further, creating a website which features all the information
about the rich history and many factors of Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78,
London as dark hospitality places is also a vital option and way for attracting larger number of
customers (Wood, 2021). Apart from this, highlighting the main attractions and identifying its
target audience in more efficient way along with focusing on branding with the help of
compelling destination website are also suggested as vital ways for Somerset's Shepton Mallet
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Prison and Clink78, London to attract and cater larger number of customers. Apart from this,
providing regular training and development session for staff and employees about meeting the
needs and expectation of adventure tourist could also be an effective way to attract and cater
larger number of customers by Somerset's Shepton Mallet Prison and Clink78, London as a dark
hospitality places (Becker, 2021).
Methodology approach and research design
This section forms out a most vital and crucial part of every study which facilitates and
provide appropriate discussion and justification about the proposed research methodology and
philosophies which are applied and utilised by an investigator to carry out a study. Research
design mainly aim at providing and setting out a framework of appropriate research method and
techniques that are tend to be choose by researcher for conducting and carry out an investigation
in more effective and efficient manner. The four types of research design comprise of
Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research
which manly aim at setting out and establish a cause effect relationship among the main
variables of research (Buchbinder and Shapiro, 2021). With respect to current investigation about
the concept of dark hospitality utilisation and application of descriptive research design seemed
most appropriate and justifiable as it ensures and aim at accurately and systematically describing
a population as well as the situation and population in order to effective analysis and investigate
about the selected topic in much more efficient and efficient way. Further, to have appropriate
selection of research method and philosophies for current investigation use of research onion
model has been made which provide a systematic way for selection of suitable reach method and
approach along with proper justification for their selection (Ghaedi, Ozturen and Safshekan,
2021). A discussion about various layers of research onion is provided below which is presenting
information about the proposed research method and philosophies for conducing current
investigation on the topic of Dark Hospitality.
Research philosophies and paradigm- It present the first and foremost layer of research
onion model which is basically divided into four main types which consists of positivisms,
realism, interpretivisim and pragmatism research philosophies. On the basis of nature of current
investigation based on the topic of dark hospitality selection of positivism philosophy is seemed
more appropriate and justifiable as it supports and lead out a more systematic and practical way
of investigation (Becker, 2021). Thus, utilisation of positivism philosophy would be made for as
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it supports genuine knowledge which is actually and exclusive derived from experience of
natural phenomena which support a more practical form of investigation to effectively
accomplish set objective based on topic of dark hospitality.
Research approach- It seemed out to be divided into two main types comprises of deductive
and inductive form of research approach out of which use of deductive is completely inclined
with positivism philosophy while the inductive approach is tending to be related and in
accordance with interpretivisim philosophy (Wood, 2021). As the current investigation is based
on use of positivism philosophy thus, the selection of deductive approach is suitable and
justifiable for current investigation. Further, selection of deductive approach is appropriate for
current investigation based on theme of dark hospitality as it ensures and brings out a more
effective scanning and testing of numeric facts which support improved research outcomes and
results.
Research strategy- This section of research methodology is mainly related and associated
with complete framework for data collection and other aspects of investigation which facilitates
a base for entire study. The main forms and types of research strategy which can be used by
researcher for current investigation comprises of action research, experiments, survey,
observation, interview and many other. Out of these set of research strategy, use of survey
strategy seemed most appropriate for current research on topic of dark hospitality as it is
justifiable and rationale for collection of ample amount of information from larger number of
participants (Flynn, 2021). A justification can be made out that utilisation of survey strategy is
appropriate for current investigation as it ensures most cost and time effective way of data
collection through making use of questionnaire to collect objective form of information from a
larger number of participants.
Choices of method- There are two main types of research method which comprises of
qualitative and quantitative form of research method out if which one or both is opted by an
investigator to carry out a research work. On the basis of nature of current investigation, the
utilisation and application of quantitative form of research method seemed more appropriate and
justifiable (Bode, 2021). The reason and justification for selection of quantitative method of is
based in the fact that it supports collection of numeric facts and data which facilitates and
ensures better analysis of set topic along with ensuring effective presentation and analysis of
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facts through applying statistical tools. The selection of quantitative research method is suitable
to have measurable and specific results on the topic of dark hospitality.
Collection of data- With respect to current investigation gathering of information would be
made with the help of primary and secondary source of information to ensure ample and
significant amount of information on the topic of dark Hospitality. Selection of primary source of
data collection is rationale as it supports collection of first hand and latest information about the
concept of dark hospitality (Gürlek, 2021). On the other hand, use of secondary source is also
required collect and gather information past facts and documents to set out a base and framework
for current investigation through offering understanding about the topic of dark hospitality and
its objective, Further, collection of primary data would be made with the help of questionnaire as
research instrument while the secondary data would be gathered with the help of online article
and journals.
Sampling- It present a process of collection of significant number of participants from a
larger population to conduct a research and investigation in more efficient and effective manner
(Buchbinder and Shapiro, 2021). With regard to current investigation, selection of 50
participants would have been made with the help of random sampling method from the staff of
organisation which are operating within hospitality sector.
Ethical issues and consideration- The main issues and challenges which are faced during
current investigation is associated with maintaining the privacy and authenticity of collected
data. Thus, implication of BERA code ethics and data protection act are made with respect to
current investigation to motivate all possible risk and ensure maintenance of ethical
consideration. Further, issue associated with collection of authentic and reliable information is
also made thus, selection of both primary and secondary source of information is made to
maintain the reliability of collected facts.
Data analysis and plan
Analysis of primary facts collected with the help of quantitative questionnaire would be
made through applying use of frequency table and pie charts. Use of frequency table and other
statistical tool are justifiable for analysis of quantitative facts which consists of systematic
presentation and analysis of numeric facts in more effective and attractive manner (Ghaedi,
Ozturen and Safshekan, 2021). Apart from this, analyse of secondary data would be made with
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the help of literature review which facilitates and ensures an effective analysis and discussion
about secondary facts.
Conclusion
On the basis of current research proposal, a conclusion can be made that the concept of dark
hospitality is becoming more and more significant as it helps in attracting larger number of
adventure lover tourist. Beside this, dark hospitality is also vital to provide a thrilling and more
entertaining stay and accommodation for tourist along with information about the rich historical
facts related with the place. Further, a summarisation could also be made that having an online
website along with brochures which presents information about the key factors of a dark
destination is a vital way to attract larger number of customers and attract wider target audience.
Timetable
Following Gantt chart is used to present the time table and duration for all activities of
current investigation:
ACTIVITES WEEK
1
WEEK
2
WEEK
3
WEEK
4
WEEK
5
WEEK
6
WEEK
7
WEEK
8
WEEK
9
Submission
of research
proposal
Complete
background
information
for research
project
Collect
secondary
sources of
information
for research
8

project
Complete research
methodology and
collect primary and
secondary sources
of information
Complete
collecting
data for
study and
present the
result
Determining
Budget
Data
Interpretatio
n and
analysis
Evaluating
results and
findings
Complete
the report
and submit
the final
report
REFERENCES
Books and journal
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Wood, A.G. ed., 2021. The Business of Leisure: Tourism History in Latin America and the
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Online:
Dark hospitality: Hotels as places for the end of life. 2021. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284358123_Dark_hospitality_Hotels_as_places
_for_the_end_of_life >.
WELCOME TO CLINK PRISON. 2021. [Online] Available Through:< https://www.clink.co.uk/
>.
Dagney Mckinney. 39 DARK AND UNUSUAL THINGS TO DO IN LONDON. 2021. [Online]
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>.
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