Tourists’ Motivation: The Exploration of Dark Tourism in Tayabas, Quezon

The main purpose of the study is to explore that dark tourism attractions in Tayabas, Quezon, namely, Casa Comunidad de Tayabas, Malagonlong Bridge, and Tulay ng Princesa. To enhance its value and promote dark tourism, focusing on its historical significance and dark past. This study identified measurements to restore the attractions and increase popularity by highlighting and preserving the unique historial narratives that drive tourists to engage with this type of tourism. These attractions served as a reminder of significant events and occurrences, offering a platform for reflection, remembrance, and understanding. Despite the unsettling nature of these "dark" attractions, they play a crucial role in preserving and sharing stories of tragedy and suffering, ensuring that future generations can learn and appreciate the complexities of history. While challenges such as maintaining historial accuracy and visitor expectations persists, the rich history of stories woven into Tayabas' dark tourism attraction makes them a compelling destination. The exploration of dark tourism in Tayabas, Quezon, reveals both the satisfaction of tourists and the challenges in preserving the historical significance of such attractions. While tourists generally leave satisfied, maintaining the authenticity of these attractions amidst evolving perceptions presents ongoing challenges. Bridging the gap between visitor expectations and the experience, as well as ensuring the continued relevance of these attractions, will require collaborative efforts from the municipality and local community.These findings highlight the significance of continuous communication and management of the motivation towards tourists to create strategies to maintain and sustain the appeal and integrity of dark tourism in Tayabas, Quezon. The researchers recommend that collaborative initiatives involving local communities, tourism authorities, and researchers can play a pivotal role in achieving the balance. Furthermore, it is recommended the implementation of targeted marketing campaigns to attract visitors interested in dark tourism, and collaboration with local historians and cultural experts can enrich the visitor experience by providing in-depth insights into the historical significance of these attractions. Also, ongoing monitoring and evaluation of tourists' feedback and satisfaction levels to monitor the motivation of tourists can provide valuable insights for refining management strategies ensuring the continued relevance and appeal of dark tourism attractions in Tayabas, Quezon.