Abstract
Dark tourism is a relatively new and poorly researched direction in tourism. In Russian-language literature, there are practically no in-depth fundamental studies of this phenomenon, while abroad there are many publications on this topic, covering a narrow range of issues. Within the framework of the article, the key functions of dark tourism are considered, including its educational value. However, dark tourism attracts not only by its educational aspects. Often such trips fulfill recreational and psychological functions, providing tourists with the opportunity to go through a personal transformation and form their own views rather than perceive information through someone else's perceptions. The economic importance of dark tourism is also noted and its role for modern society is defined. These studies are a part of the dissertation research devoted to the study of scientific of dark tourism in the Republic of Kazakhstan.