There war in Ukrainein addition to being a human and geopolitical drama, has given rise to a controversial phenomenon: the dark tourism. More and more Westerners are choosing to visit places marked by warlike the suburbs of Kiev, to immerse yourself in a dramatic reality that is profoundly different from everyday life.
Among these travelers there is Alberto Blasco Ventasa 23-year-old Spanish software engineer. Driven by curiosity and the desire to document the experience for his followers on YouTube, Alberto crossed Moldova and Ukraine to reach symbolic places of the conflict, such as the Irpin bridge destroyed in 2022 to stop the Russian advance. “It’s my first time in a war zone” he said, admitting that he had tried fear but also an irrepressible fascination for the experience.
The organized visitsoffered by agencies such as War Tours and Capital Tours Kiev, allow tourists to explore war-torn sites, including Borodianka and Bucha, infamous for their atrocities. The costs they vary between 150 and 250 euros for daily tourswith more adventurous options, such as excursions to the front, which can reach 3,300 euros. Part of the revenue comes given to the army and the promoters underline the importance of keeping alive the memory of what happened.
For local guides it is a way to raise awareness
Although the phenomenon arouses criticism from those who consider it morbid or disrespectful, many local guides see it as a way to raise awareness around the world and for help the affected communities economically. Some residents, such as Mykhaylyna Skoryk-Shkarivska, former deputy mayor of Bucha, recognize that for many this form of tourism represents a new reality to accept, even if some consider it “blood-stained money”.
According to Mariana Oleskiv, president of the National Agency for Tourism Development, demand is expected to grow. Before the conflict, Ukraine attracted tourists with destinations like Chernobyl, today inaccessible for security reasons. Now the focus has shifted to the war, with commemorative routes designed to reflect on the tragedy and to rebuild the image of the country.
In 2023, Ukraine welcomed 4 million foreign visitorsdouble compared to the previous year. While local tourism remains dominant due to travel restrictions for men of fighting age, the country is looking to the future, signing deals with large tourism platforms to revive the sector post-war.
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