The submersible craft’s expedition to the depths of the ocean and back was originally intended to last approximately eight hours. This included a descent of two and a half hours, several hours exploring the century-old remains of the Titanic, and a return journey of two and a half hours. However, the submersible and its five occupants have now been missing in the Atlantic Ocean for three days, with no communication established. American and Canadian search teams are scouring the sea in a race against time. The submersible carries a limited supply of emergency oxygen, which is depleting rapidly. What began as an exciting adventure has now become a desperate rescue mission.
Although the current situation seems grim, this perilous form of tourism is just one option available to the wealthy. The lost submersible, named Titan, is owned by OceanGate Expeditions, a company specializing in deep-sea expeditions for both research and tourism purposes. Tickets for a voyage to the Titanic have been priced at $250,000. Wealthy individuals also have the opportunity to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on journeys to the edge of space or even millions to orbit the Earth. Despite the inherent dangers associated with these exotic environments, people are willing to pay significant sums of money for the experience.
As the rescue efforts continue, more details regarding the submersible experience have emerged. Far from being luxurious, the expensive voyage has been described as cramped and “janky” by CBS journalist David Pogue, who traveled on the submersible in the past. Prior to boarding, Pogue signed a waiver acknowledging the experimental nature of the vessel and the potential risks involved. Concerns about the sub’s safety were raised by submersible experts, oceanographers, and deep-sea explorers in a letter written to OceanGate’s CEO in 2018.
The attraction to extreme forms of tourism stems from the diverse motivations of individuals. According to James Petrick, a professor at Texas A&M University specializing in tourist behavior, travelers can be categorized along a spectrum based on their risk preferences. On one end are those who are risk-averse and prefer familiar destinations, while on the other end are risk-embracing individuals who seek adventure and travel frequently. Most people fall somewhere in the middle, enjoying occasional exhilarating activities but seeking comfort and safety for the rest of their vacation.
The appeal of the Titan submersible is amplified by its destination: the infamous site of the Titanic shipwreck, where over 1,500 lives were lost. This phenomenon of visiting dark and tragic locations is known as “dark tourism.” Many visitors are drawn to places such as concentration camps, battlefields, and Ground Zero due to a shared fascination with mortality. The narrative surrounding the Titanic as an “unsinkable” ship adds to the allure, turning the deep-sea excursion into a mix of education and voyeurism.
While these extreme forms of travel may be intriguing, they are often inaccessible to the majority due to their exorbitant costs. Space tourism, for example, has finally become a reality after years of anticipation. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic offers rides to the edge of space for $450,000, while Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX charge even higher prices. Visiting space has become a status symbol, similar to climbing Mount Everest, but only a select few can afford to join this exclusive group.
For those who have the financial means, the allure of high-risk adventures is undeniable. Among the passengers aboard the OceanGate submersible is Hamish Harding, an aviation businessman and experienced adventurer. He holds a diving record in the Mariana Trench and has journeyed to Antarctica with Buzz Aldrin. Prior to this submersible voyage, Harding had also been a passenger on Blue Origin’s space trip.
Overall, the world of extreme tourism caters to individuals who crave unique and daring experiences. Despite the potential dangers and risks involved, there is a subset of society that is willing to pay a premium for these extraordinary adventures.
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