2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Reconciling Light Contents Tourism and Dark History: A Case Study of Witch-Themed Tourism and Its Conflicts
| Project/Area Number |
22K18100
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| Research Institution | Kanazawa University |
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Principal Investigator |
THELEN TIMO 金沢大学, 国際学系, 准教授 (90837452)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
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| Keywords | Tourism |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Two fieldwork stays with interviews in the Harz region could be conducted. The results show very different approaches to the topic of witch heritage and tourism. The region's focus on tourism is closely connected to the past of Eastern Germany, when the region had some industries, which were, however, shut down after the reunification. The creation of tourism resources was thus important for the local economy, and so the local communities were open to these new opportunities. Criticism from the outside against the "light" witch tourism and how to handle the "dark" heritage of witch hunts caused controversy, but negotiations and compromises could settle down these issues.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Additional administrative tasks in the faculty as well as a growing of students limited the time for research activities.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
At least two more research stays should be done in the Harz region to gather further interview data from the local communities. Also additional literature resources are necessary to pen articles on the findings.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Lack of time because of additional administrative tasks at the faculty.
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