By Zafer Mentes
ISTANBUL (AA) - The suggestion to use tourism to showcase the devastation in the war-torn Ukraine and raise funds for war refugees has come under criticism for being "disrespectful to the victims."
Igor Vinnichenko, who studies tourism at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, told Anadolu that due to ethical concerns, war tourism is not being conducted in Ukraine, but the topic is being discussed.
“Last year, 'Visit Ukraine,' a public organization, proposed tours to cities in the Kyiv region that had been damaged during the conflict with Russia. Their goal was to raise global awareness about Ukraine's tragedy, and they had guides and tourism experts ready for the project. The initiative received support from Mariana Oleskiv, chairperson at the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine, and was inspired by visits from foreign government officials and celebrities to cities like Irpin, Bucha, and Hostomel. All tour proceeds were intended to aid Ukrainian refugees,” he said.
“However, it faced strong ethical criticism and was seen as disrespectful to the victims. As a result, both 'Visit Ukraine' and the State Tourism Agency abandoned the idea," he added.
Emphasizing the potential of tourism to convey the effects of war globally, Vinnichenko said: "War tourism isn't just about regular visits to these areas. It involves various elements, including visits to former conflict zones, war museums, military units, live firing experiences, examining military equipment, and even helicopter or plane rides. These components enable visitors to see the real face of war and understand its consequences."
Vinnichenko stressed that visits to war zones can foster empathy and communication between visitors and the local population.
- ‘Visits by high-level foreign officials'
Vinnichenko said: “Visitors to these areas, who interact with locals and witness infrastructure destruction, mining, environmental damage, and minefields, will leverage their experiences to make crucial reconstruction decisions.
“For example, the restoration of Ruta kindergarten in the Kyiv region, supported by Lithuania and attended by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, drew substantial public attention."
“If we consider high-level foreign officials as 'war tourists,' they can be influential catalysts for addressing the issues they witness in conflict zones. Last June, for example, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi initially visited the region to persuade Ukraine, but their intentions changed dramatically after witnessing the destruction in the Kyiv region," he added.
Vinnichenko also stressed that in conflict zones, safety cannot be guaranteed due to the unpredictability of modern weapons.
- ‘No one can visit frontlines’
Head of Ukraine's State Tourism Development Agency, Mariana Oleskiv, told Anadolu: “War tourism is not happening at the moment, and that visiting the frontlines is prohibited as 18% of Ukraine is under occupation. Access to the frontlines is only allowed for journalists, specific delegations, and military personnel.”
“When the siren blares, people rush to shelters. Areas closer to the frontlines face frequent bombardments, leaving less time to reach safety. Hence, these zones are not secure. Safe areas begin about 800 kilometers (497 miles) away from the frontlines,” she stressed.
Oleskiv also noted that this summer about 45% of Ukrainians traveled within the country, showing a high tourism rate, whereas foreigners usually come to Ukraine for business, humanitarian work, or family visits.
She also highlighted Ukrainians' resilience in continuing with their lives and supporting the economy.
Oleskiv emphasized that economic activity supports the military and keeps the frontlines stable against the Russian occupation. Everyone in Ukraine contributes to this effort, preventing further occupation.
She praised the Ukrainian Armed Forces and international support for resisting the occupation.
*Writing by Necva Tastan