Photo: suspilne.media
The trend of “dark tourism”, which involves visiting places associated with tragic events, is attracting more and more foreign tourists to Ukraine, allowing them to see the consequences of the war with their own eyes, France24 reports.
Tourists in search of thrills
Alberto Blasco Ventas, a 23-year-old Spaniard, chose to tour the Kyiv region, visiting places such as the destroyed bridge in Irpin and the town of Borodianka, which were affected at the beginning of the Russian invasion. Shocked by the reality of the war zone, Alberto filmed his journey for his YouTube channel, where he already has 115,000 subscribers.
To get to Ukraine, he first flew to Moldova and then spent 18 hours on a train to Kyiv. “I’m not going to lie, I’m a little scared,” he admits, but he still believes the experience was worth the risk.
Military tourism: prices and organisation
More than 10 companies in Ukraine offer this type of tour. The cost of the routes ranges from 150 to 250 euros for excursions in and around Kyiv, such as Irpin or Bucha. Some companies, such as War Tours, claim that part of their profits are donated to the Armed Forces.
For those seeking a more extreme experience, tours are offered closer to the frontline, in particular to the south of Ukraine. The cost of such trips reaches 3,300 euros.
Nick Tang, a 34-year-old American from New York, visited Kharkiv, which is only 20 kilometres from the front line. Despite his desire to see the fighting up close, his guide refused to extend the tour. “It’s a unique experience, more intense than any other extreme,” says Nick.
Ethical challenges of military tourism
Mariana Oleskiv, head of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine, acknowledges the ethical issues raised by military tourism, but notes that demand for such travel is growing. Her agency is already organising special courses for guides and creating “memorial routes” in the Kyiv region.
Impact on the tourism industry
Despite the war, tourism in Ukraine is gradually recovering. In 2023, tourism revenues may exceed the level of 2021, although a significant portion of it will be domestic travel, particularly by men who cannot travel due to mobilisation.
In 2022, approximately 4 million foreign visitors visited Ukraine, twice as many as in 2021. However, these statistics also include those who came on business visits.
Plans for the post-war period
Ukraine is already preparing to rebuild its tourism industry after the war. In particular, partnerships with Airbnb and TripAdvisor have been signed. “The war has made Ukraine famous all over the world. Now everyone knows our country,” says Mariana Oleskiv.
While “dark tourism” draws attention to the consequences of war, it also raises questions about the ethical limits of using tragic events to promote tourist destinations.
