At least a dozen companies offer trips and options for so-called “war tourists” to visit conflict zones. This is the case of Ukraine, whose attractions have increased in recent months around this marginal and particular variant.
Before the war, the country already welcomed tens of thousands of tourists every year to visit Chernobyl, where the worst nuclear disaster in history occurred in 1986.
However, scenes resulting from the war conflict have generated an attraction in a group that claims to visit the area “with respect.”
War tourists: the growing phenomenon
War Tours, which organized the trip of Spanish YouTuber Alberto Blasco Ventas, who shared his journey on social media, states that they had about 30 clients so far this year.
Mainly Europeans and Americans who pay between 150 and 250 euros (157 to 262 dollars) for the visit.
There are more and more “war tourists” visiting Ukraine.
Part of the profits are donated to the army, as stated by the co-founder of the company, Dmitro Nikiforov, to the AFP agency. He insists that “it is not about the money, but about remembering the war.”
Svitozar Moiseiv, manager of the tourism company Capital Tours Kyiv, considers that the benefits are insignificant, but the visits have educational value.
“It’s like a vaccine to prevent this from happening again,” he commented.
In first person
The American tourist Nick Tan, who works at a technology company in New York, gave his testimony when traveling beyond Kyiv.
In July, he visited Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which faces constant bombardments by Russian forces, located about 20 kilometers away.
“I wanted to see it because I believe that our lives in the West are too comfortable and easy,” explained Tan, 34 years old.
The “dark” tourism that generates controversy
According to Mijailina Skorik-Shkarivska, councilor of Irpin and former deputy mayor of Bucha, most residents do not care about “dark tourism”, but others consider it “bloodstained money.”
“There are accusations: ‘Why do they come? Why do they want to see our pain?'” commented the councilor, referring to conversations she has had with neighbors.
Mariana Oleskiv, in charge of the National Tourism Development Agency, admits that war tourism raises many ethical concerns, but she affirms that the market could grow.
Last year, the country recorded 4 million foreign visitors. According to Oleskiv, double the number in 2022, although it is mainly business visits.
Ukraine is now preparing for the post-war period and has already signed agreements with Airbnb and TripAdvisor. “The war drew attention to Ukraine, so we have a stronger brand. Everyone knows about our country,” Oleskiv stated.
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