Vacation in Ukraine?

“War tourism sounds fun, but it’s not”

Some people coming from the conflict areas sought refuge in the west of the country to recuperate.

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

There are currently hardly any international tourists in Ukraine. But there are a few: why war tourism only sounds like "fun" and where it is currently "particularly safe", reveals the head of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine (SATD), Mariana Oleskiv, in an interview with "Die Krone".

"War tourism may sound like fun, but it's not. If you go there, there's a good chance you'll die," Oleskiv warns of the risks of traveling to conflict zones in Ukraine right at the beginning of the interview with "Krone". Russian troops have been invading the country since February 2022. Attractive travel destinations such as those in the southern regions of the country are occupied. Nevertheless, the number of international tourists is not zero.

War zone not accessible for travelers
"There are probably still a few people there who are interested in dark tourism. But certainly not many," Oleskiv is certain. There are not many tour operators or organizations in these areas. There are also no inquiries. "It's obvious to most people that you can't reach an area where there is war. There are too many security checks for that." Only people on support missions can get close to the front line. "You can't get there without special permission."

At the stations, you often see soldiers coming out of the war to take a little vacation. But also soldiers who are undergoing rehabilitation and have lost their legs, feet, hands and other body parts.

Mariana Oleskiv (SATD)

In the west and in the capital Kiev, life must go on as usual. According to Oleskiv, the consequences of the conflict can still be felt in some places: "In the train stations, you often see soldiers who have come home from the war to take a little vacation. But also soldiers who are undergoing rehabilitation and have lost their legs, feet, hands and other body parts." The constant sirens are also often enough of a reminder of the fatal circumstances in their country.

Places bordering European Union countries have become a particularly safe place for people from other parts of the country to recover.

Mariana Oleskiv (SATD)

Tourists stay in the west
"Apart from that, we have a normal everyday life here," the Ukrainian tells us. Everyone is working as usual and the children are at school. "We have to keep fighting, but at the same time we have to keep going ourselves." And this also applies to the tourism industry: since the outbreak of the war, it has also had to adapt to the changed realities and expand its offering, particularly to the west of the country. Nevertheless, the sector has not completely stagnated since the start of the war. This is because tourism was already slowly recovering in the summer of 2022: "People have understood that they need to take their children to some safe places to relax." Places bordering the countries of the European Union in particular have become especially safe, according to Oleskiv.

Mariana Oleskiv, Head of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine (SATD), in an interview with "Krone" at the tourism fair in Berlin.

(Bild: zVg)

Many people who have fled the conflict-affected areas are now seeking refuge and recreation in the western part of Ukraine. Cities such as Lviv are becoming hubs for evacuees, and the local community is mobilizing to provide support and shelter. Oleskiv herself was at a resort in the west with her family last summer. "We also met two families from Slovakia there." According to the tourism expert, holidaymakers from neighboring countries are mostly people who have acquaintances from parts of Ukraine and can find out about the current situation. But business travelers are also frequent visitors here. "This is what helps the industry to survive," she emphasizes and reminds people not to forget Ukraine as a vacation destination.

"Need to regain attention"
"We have to plan for the future, and we are doing so. We know that we will regain attention for Ukraine."

Before the war, Ukraine had a particularly high number of tourists from Saudi Arabia. Ukraine was the most popular destination there. "They really loved it ...", recalls Mariana Oleskiv.