Current Issues of Tourism Research

Introduction

We would like to introduce you to the fourth issue of the scientific journal “Current Issues of Tourism Research”.  This current issue is devoted to the trends of the International Trade Show (ITB). This show has traditionally been held in Berlin since 1966. Approximately 10,000 exhibitions from 188 countries have presented over time a global sample of tourism products. Assistant Professor Zygmund Kruczek, who personally participated in the exhibition, has assessed recent trends in the tourism industry in this review.
With a view from time and practical experience ITB can be assessed as a part of the tourism industry which focuses on direct products and economic gain from travelling, especially international travel. The main part of this issue represents other types of tourism. It is a relatively new kind of tourism, with a partially controversial nature. Dark tourism penetrates into the “tourism industry” and also into
“cultural tourism”. In the article of Čuka and Chovancová are the links reflecting dark tourism in pop culture and its potential consequences in Central Europe.
The task of this journal is not only to provide current topics in the mainstream theory and methodology of tourism, but also to emphasize the value of research in the field. This field of study and branch of science has its own objectives and original methodology, bringing new theories. In conclusion, let me continue the discussion of the International Travel Trade Show, ITB, in Berlin. Exhibitions and presentations of
regions and states have a long tradition. After all, the first International Travel Trade Show in London had already taken place in 1851. These exhibitions have always had great popularity and publicity. In an era before television and digital communication people learned all the news from newspapers and disseminated them orally even in their churches. But not only that, they even became an official topic of
sermons. A representative quote comes from the book Travelling One Hundred Years Ago (by K. Ulmanová, 2011): “The theme of world
exhibitions penetrated the church, where it was mentioned in the sermons. An example is shown in the postilla of Emperor Ferdinand in 1892 called the Bread of Life. This sermon on the occasion of fasting after Carnival is called the “In the Labyrinth of God’s Exhibition” and is based on the allegory of the world created by God. The heavens are likened to the ceiling of the exhibition hall, the earth to the
pavement. God is presented as an exhibitor and also the main organizer of the exhibition....”

Čuka Peter (Editor in Chief)