10 Of The Most Controversial Tourist Attractions

Some of these are quite dangerous. People have always been fascinated by the gruesome, bloody, and violent aspects of existence. There is even a word for the tendency of visiting sites connected with death and suffering: thanatourism.

10. Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans – USA

Residents of New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward began to observe a fresh crop of people strolling through their debris-strewn streets in the weeks following Hurricane Katrina. They were not relief workers or returnees. They weren’t even reporters. These strangers arriving by the busload turned out to be paying visitors taking a Katrina tour of the neighborhood.

In 2006, the City Council quickly passed a rule prohibiting tour groups from crossing the Industrial Canal and entering the besieged area, but the ordinance went largely unenforced until this year, when City Councilman Ernest F. Charbonnet stepped out in support of residents. “They’re tired of being gawked at like sideshow animals in a zoo,” he told IBTimes in October. “It has a humiliating aspect.” Charbonnet and the tour operators have since reached an agreement, but the tours continue to be a source of contention among locals.

9. Padaung Karen Reserve, Thailand

Thailand has an estimated 1.2 million hill tribesmen, but rights groups like as Plan International claim that 500,000 of them are not Thai citizens, preventing them from owning land, voting, or receiving state-funded health care. The Padaung Karen (incorrectly called to as “longneck” women) are one such group who live in an artificial hill tribe town near Chiang Rai that was built solely for tourism purposes.

The women wear brass rings that deform their chests and shoulders, giving the appearance of an unusually long neck. Some argue that tourism allows them to preserve their culture, while others argue that the industry exploits these stateless women in exchange for tourism revenues (the majority of which go to Thai tour operators). It is another question whether these ladies have the freedom to leave their situation.

8. Dharavi Slum in Mumbai, India

Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, is located on excellent real estate in the heart of India’s financial metropolis, Mumbai. More than a million people live there. Many are second-generation residents, having relocated here with their parents years ago. The thought of visiting Asia’s largest slum may be difficult to rationalize, but one thing is certain: it is a depressing visit. For about 1 million people, oppressive stink, heartbreaking conditions, and poverty beyond conception are a terrible existence.

Dharavi, which has been famous by the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, attracts a large number of visitors who want to “experience the true taste of distress.” On the one hand, the proceeds from the excursions are reported to be donated directly to the community, which is admirable. On the other hand, isn’t there something weird in wanting to witness other people’s pain?

7. London Dungeon, UK

The London Dungeon is a popular tourist attraction in London that recreates numerous horrific and grisly historical events in a gallows humour style geared at younger audiences. It employs a combination of live actors, special effects, and rides.

Laughing at death is one thing; making fun of someone else’s pain is quite another. The Dungeons are without a doubt one of London’s greatest attractions, primarily built to provide a horrific account of medieval history. However, it has devolved into a gory display of torture and a gruesome collection of rather unpleasant displays. There is a perception that all of the special effects, exciting rides, and dark humor serve no educational function but just to entertain. That’s frightening.

6. Devil’s Island, French Guiana

Devil’s Island is the third largest island in the Atlantic Ocean’s Îles du Salut island group. It’s 14 kilometers off the coast of French Guiana in South America, just north of Kourou. Devil’s Island, also known as “the Green Hell” and considered as one of the world’s most notorious prison colonies, is a popular tourist destination in French Guiana. The agenda includes run-down cells, the jail headquarters, and a newborn cemetery. But the island was formerly plagued by sickness, and hundreds of convicts died in appalling conditions.

5. Antarctica

This lawless, mostly deserted wasteland of rock, ice, and penguins is literally the last frontier. It’s a location to be inspired, humbled, and dumbfounded, and it’s the perfect venue to outdo your globetrotting buddies. But is it moral to go? Antarctica, once inaccessible except for a few daring scientists and explorers, is now open to the general public for a brief period each summer in the Southern Hemisphere. And it’s more accessible than you might expect.

This season, the most isolated continent attracted approximately 35,000 visitors. This is a decrease from a peak of 46,000 in 2007. However, this is the greatest number in years, and there are fears that visitors will bring viruses or seeds that would disturb the fragile Antarctic ecology. All aspiring travelers are advised to book with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, whose members support safe and environmentally responsible private-sector Antarctic tourism.

4. Plastinarium in Guben, Germany

Plastination is an anatomical procedure used to preserve a body for scientific purposes. However, it has been discovered that it can also be a lucrative source of revenue. Dr. Gunther von Hagen’s museum has sparked as much debate as it has praise. Among the things you can see here are interactive dissection procedures and real human beings “involved” in a variety of activities.

Nobody can deny the significant contribution Plastinarium makes to the education of medical students. Was it really necessary for the exhibits to be seated at a poker table or on a bike? And why would anyone other than a doctor or a young medical student want to see all of this up close? However, Plastinarium has garnered over 100,000 visitors since its inception in 2006.

3. North Korea

North Korea may be the world’s most notable tourist attraction in terms of landscape. A visitor will be enticed by the dramatic mountain landscapes, clean lagoons, waterfalls, and incredible Buddhist temples. However, it may be one of the world’s least visited countries. There appears to be a moral quandary in sponsoring a regime notorious for its nuclear weapons program and harsh behavior. Even if you chose to go in search of the truth, you will always be escorted by a government-appointed guide. In the end, you receive bogus historical explanations and laudatory speeches rather than a genuine experience. So why go at all?

2. Jarawa Reserve, Andaman Islands

The Jarawa are an adivasi indigenous population of India’s Andaman Islands. Survival International, a tribal rights organization, first exposed the situation in 2010, and an unnerving video released by the Observer last January brought it to light. An off-screen police officer pushed the women to dance. To safeguard the Jarawa tribes, the Supreme Court barred all commercial and tourism operations within a five-kilometer radius of the Jarawa Tribal Reserve in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Monday. However, reports appear on a regular basis indicating that the human safaris are still taking place.

1. Vang Vieng, Laos

Vang Vieng is a tourist destination in Laos. The city is situated on the Nam Song River. The karst hill scenery that surrounds the town is the most remarkable characteristic of the area. Vang Vieng, deep in Laos’ bush, is a backpacker paradise with no restrictions. At least 27 tourists died there last year, and many more were injured. Laos has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous places in Asia for travellers. Drunkenness, death, and drugs. These are the most common words linked with Vang Vieng.

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10 Of The Most Controversial Tourist Attractions

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