Strategi Mengurangi Dampak Dark Tourism Dalam Optimalisasi Lawang Sewu Sebagai Daya Tarik Wisata Sejarah

Abstract

Lawang Sewu is one of the iconic tourist destinations in Semarang City that has high historical value and also functions as a dark tourism site. This colonial-era building not only reflects the grandeur of Dutch architecture, but also bears witness to the human tragedy during the Japanese occupation, including torture, imprisonment, and death of national fighters. This study aims to examine Lawang Sewu as a space that represents the dual identity of historical tourism and dark tourism. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through literature review, field observation, and interviews. The research findings show that Lawang Sewu has strong educational potential as a historical tourism site, but in practice it is often promoted as a dark tourism destination that emphasizes mystical and horror narratives. This imbalance risks distorting the meaning of history and commercializing past tragedies. Therefore, a management strategy is needed that integrates historical education with visitors' emotional experiences ethically and proportionally.