Military tourism: Why foreigners are traveling to Ukraine.

In Ukraine, the number of foreign tourists arriving to witness the aftermath of the war has significantly increased. Travelers interested in so-called "dark" or "war" tourism mostly come from Europe and the USA, as reported on Saturday, November 30, by Bild.   It is noted that Ukrainian travel companies offer tours that allow foreigners to visit the capital region, where Russian troops committed mass killings of civilians. The cost of these tours ranges from 150 to 250 euros.   The Straits Times reports that some tour companies are expanding their itineraries, offering multi-day trips to southern Ukraine, where active hostilities continue. Such tours are priced at approximately 3300 euros per person.   A co-founder of one such tour company mentioned that part of the profits is directed towards supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He emphasized that the company's main goal is to preserve the historical memory of the war.   Another company explained that the financial gain from war tours is modest, but the educational significance of such trips outweighs the financial aspect: "these trips serve as a kind of vaccine against the recurrence of war."   The head of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine, Marianna Oleskiv, acknowledged that this type of tourism raises ethical discussions, yet the demand for it continues to grow. At the same time, some residents of affected areas, such as Irpin, criticize these initiatives, labeling the income from war tours as "blood money."   Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine remains open to tourists. In 2023, around 4 million foreigners visited the country.   Earlier reports indicated that tax revenues from tourism in Ukraine exceeded pre-war levels.   In Prykarpattia, several routes have been closed to tourists