The boom of "dark tourism" among the rich, paying a lot of money to go to dangerous areas

Afghanistan, Iraq, or Sierra Leone are not places that come to mind when planning a trip abroad. In fact, many governments advise against travel to these countries. But a strange travel trend is developing among the wealthy: many older, well-heeled people want to explore the world, and are interested in visiting places that are at war or in turmoil, or that are unsafe.

Australian company Forward Travel specializes in tailor-made itineraries to unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and last year launched packages to Afghanistan, Iraq and West Africa.

“Iraq was a real eye-opener for me. I’ve been to 100 countries and I can honestly say that there are some of the friendliest, most welcoming people there. For history buffs, I think it’s a very profound experience,” said Smyth.

Mr Smyth said the tourism market for Afghanistan, Iraq and West Africa was growing, with strong bookings and plenty of room for growth. Interestingly, war zones were popular with Australians in their 60s and 70s. Visits to these countries are not cheap. Each tourist will have to pay around $10,000 (about VND250 million) to visit Iraq for 13 days, including travel, accommodation and a tour guide to ensure safety.

Director Smyth said the trip was also not suitable for less experienced travelers. People interested in these special tours often have traveled a lot, now want to explore unsettled lands and understand more about the culture.

"These customers are very keen to visit hot spots around the world. They are willing to pay any price to satisfy their curiosity. However, they do not go there to relax but want to live with the locals and see the relics. They may disappear in the future because of war," said Mr. Smyth.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, its highest level, for people planning to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which are considered to have “a volatile security situation and a high threat of terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping and violent crime.”

In Afghanistan last May, six tourists were killed while visiting a local market. They were robbed not only of their belongings but also of their lives.

Dr. David Bierman, a travel risk management expert, said there are always travelers who prefer to visit places with poor security or where there has been a history of armed conflict. He advised travelers who want to visit such destinations to thoroughly research local customs, check with their consulates before departure, and always follow the advice of local guides.

“There is a trend called dark tourism,” says Mr Bierman. “People like to go to places where natural disasters or war crimes have happened, like Nazi concentration camps. There will always be a small minority of people who want to go to the most dangerous places, like Syria or Lebanon or Gaza, because the sights excite them.”

Dr David Bierman believes that government "do not travel" advisories can sometimes backfire: "There are always people who think, 'Everyone is telling me not to go there, so I'm going to go.'"