Dark tourism: the case of La Modelo of Barcelona (Spain)”

The phenomenon of visits to the territory for knowledge or recognition, especially focused on memorial sites, is gaining prominence in the tourism sector, which translates into the emergence of numerous companies that market products focused on memorial sites dedicated to local citizens and, increasingly, to other profiles. The baby boomer generation is a consumer of this type of products and services. This research, a case study, analyses the former Barcelona La Modelo prison, as a local resource and as an example of a new trend in tourism: dark tourism. Using quantitative techniques (survey) and qualitative techniques (in-depth interviews), it is observed that La Modelo is known thanks to friends or family, that visits prioritise interest in history or memory and are valued more if they are guided, and that the signage and information are satisfactory. It is concluded that the majority of visitors (guided or independent) admitted that the visit had helped them to change their view of prisons and the inmate population