When discussing tourism in South Africa, typical imagery conjures up encounters with majestic wildlife at the Kruger National Park, sun-soaked beaches in Durban, or the iconic silhouette of Table Mountain framed against a sunset. However, for Louisa Jordaan, a master’s student at the University of Pretoria, the tourism landscape paints a far more sinister picture—one that revolves around serial killer tourism.

The emergence of a dark niche

Though it may sound like the premise of a gritty crime drama, serial killer tourism represents a burgeoning niche within the global travel landscape. This form of tourism is characterised by visits to locales associated with infamous serial killers, such as crime scenes, residences, courts, and even places where these criminals faced their demise. While dark tourism, which encompasses various forms of grim travels, has found its footing in nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, South Africa remains largely uncharted territory in this respect.

Surprisingly, as Jordaan points out, South Africa possesses the unfortunate distinction of having the third-highest number of serial killers globally, trailing only the USA and the UK. “We have plenty of stories and sites that could attract visitors,” she notes. “Yet the concept has never been developed here. I believe it’s possible to establish a serial killer tourism attraction in South Africa.”

Defining dark tourism

Dark tourism encompasses a vast array of poignant experiences, from battlefield tourism to memorialising historical injustices. In the South African context, township tourism, despite its vibrant present, is also rooted in a past punctuated by struggle and suffering. However, serial killer tourism remains elusive. Jordaan surmises that this resistance stems from a cultural hesitance to discuss death and a preference for showcasing the nation’s brighter aspects. Yet, she believes there are signs of change.

The surge in popularity of true-crime documentaries, podcasts, and books has sparked a newfound public interest in South African serial killers. Once a niche topic reserved for academic circles, these real-life tales have increasingly captivated ordinary readers since 2020.

Closing the research gap

Currently conducting research into the viability and community reception of serial killer tourism, Jordaan aims to pave the way for this unconventional attraction. “I want to explore how to create such an attraction while honouring the memories of the victims,” she explains. “In the literature I’ve examined, the focus often rests on the perpetrators rather than the individuals who suffered.”

Indeed, while the perpetrators may shine as chilling anomalies, the families and lives torn apart by their heinous acts fade into obscurity. Jordaan’s vision seeks to shine a light on these often-overlooked victims while educating the public about the psychology behind serial killers: their motivations, behaviours, and the factors that contribute to their actions.

“There’s a fascination with the minds of these criminals,” she adds, “and I believe there’s potential for a safe environment where people can confront their fears about death and violence. Such a tourism attraction could contribute positively to society.”

A socially responsible model

From a financial standpoint, Jordaan perceives serial killer tourism in South Africa as a uniquely structured enterprise. While international counterparts generally operate as conventional commercial ventures, she envisions an alternative funding approach: “In this context, a donation-style model would be ideal.”

Instead of rigid pricing, attendees could contribute as they see fit, with proceeds supporting women’s shelters and initiatives that protect human rights. “Although no amount of money can bring a loved one back, this approach offers a way to right some of the wrongs endured by the families of victims,” she concludes.

With the prospect of a unique cultural attraction on the horizon, support for such initiatives could reflect both curiosity and compassion, bridging the gap between morbid fascination and the imperative to remember and honour those who have suffered at the hands of society’s darkest figures. In the not-so-distant future, South Africa may witness its own form of dark tourism—one that educates, memorialises, and perhaps illuminates a path towards understanding the human psyche.

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