Reaping the benefits of paranormal tourism.

9th March, 2013

Reaping the benefits of paranormal tourism.

THERE'S just something intriguing about the paranormal. It's scary, yet fascinating. And whether we want to admit it or not, it's so easy to get drawn into a good ghost story be it in the form of a book, movie, or from monumental places with its own rich, “haunting” history.

In recent years, there has been a rise in television shows depicting “ghost hunters” exploring haunted houses and historical buildings, and this has sparked interest for many people to satisfy their own curiosity about the paranormal especially through travel and tourism.

Spine-chilling places, locations with a macabre past or grotesque history will whet the appetite of any fan of the paranormal or even the average tourist looking for a memorable, unique experience from their travels. So it's not surprising that many countries around the world these days are reaping the benefits of paranormal tourism.

This is especially the case for countries in Europe, where owners of castles and hotels provide tours to tourists and fans of the supernatural that take them a step closer “to the darkside” whilst at the same time making good money from it all.

The concept of paranormal tourism, however, has not quite picked up in Malaysia, although its financial potential and benefits have been under the radar for quite some time. In 2011, it was reported that Sabah was planning on holding a cultural festival featuring mythical creatures because its state government realised that interest in the paranormal was a growing phenomenon.

Noteworthy also is the fact that when Muzium Negara held its Exhibition on Ghosts in June 2002, it recorded one of its highest visits ever, selling over 30,000 tickets in a single day.

Malaysia is known for having its fair share of haunted places. One such notable location is Kellie's Castle in Perak. With the right push from the relevant authorities, these locations can be more than just spooky places to be talked about. They can become high tourist attractions, with the potential of raking in good tourism dollars.

By: EUGENE MAHALINGAM eugenicz@thestar.com.my

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