4 Million Foreigners Visited Ukraine Last Year
"Are They Coming to See Our Sorrow?" Some Voices of Opposition
Travel Agencies Donate Part of Profits to Ukrainian Military
The war zone in Ukraine, invaded by Russia, is being used as a tourist attraction, sparking controversy.
On the 27th (local time), foreign media including AFP reported that 4 million foreigners visited Ukraine last year. This is about twice the number of visitors compared to early 2022, when the war began. Most visits are for business purposes, but there are also a significant number of 'war tourists.' There are about ten companies operating travel packages to visit war crime sites.
A travel agency has emerged offering tours to southern Ukraine near the front lines for 3,300 euros (approximately 4.83 million KRW). A 23-year-old man named Alberto Blasco Ventas from Spain also signed up for this company's tour package to experience the horrors of war firsthand. AFP Yonhap News
A company called 'War Tour' sells travel packages to visit sites where Russia committed civilian massacres in the capital Kyiv, Bucha, and Irpin for 150 to 250 euros (approximately 220,000 to 370,000 KRW). The company stated that about 30 people have visited since January this year, mainly Europeans and Americans. The closer to the front lines, the higher the price of the travel packages due to increased risk.
A travel agency offering tours to southern Ukraine near the front lines has appeared, selling packages for 3,300 euros (approximately 4.83 million KRW). A 23-year-old man named Alberto Blasco Ventas from Spain said he applied for this company's travel package to experience the horrors of war firsthand. Despite his family's opposition, he flew to Moldova and then took an 18-hour train ride to Ukraine. He said, "This is my first time visiting a war zone. Honestly, I am a bit scared, but you can never know unless you come."
Local companies operating 'war tourism' donate part of their profits to the Ukrainian military. However, there are also complaints and criticisms from some quarters about these external tourists. Residents suffering from the pain of war reportedly resist such tourism behaviors, saying, "Why do you come here?" and "Why do you want to see our sorrow?"
However, the Ukrainian tourism authorities view 'war tourism' positively as a way to widely share the historical lessons of the war, AFP reported. Mariana Oleskiw, commissioner of the Ukraine Tourism Development Agency, said, "Interest in Ukraine has increased due to the war. The war tourism industry is bound to grow." Ukraine is already preparing for the post-war period by signing contracts with global tourism platforms such as Airbnb and TripAdvisor.
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