Is War Tourism on the Rise?

Janeen Christoff
by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 4:00 AM ET, Tue August 9, 2016

TravelPulse recently asked if the growing trend of slum tourism is safe.

Now, Japan Today is asking the same question of war tourism. Is it adventurous or reckless?

American backpacker John Milton is part of a group of travelers called "war tourists" who visit Afghanistan each year to visit medieval ruins and the region's pristine mountains.

"Visiting conflict zones and off-the-beaten-path destinations is so much more rewarding than the usual global tourist destinations," said Milton, a 46-year-old former investment banker, who visited Afghanistan in June and has also vacationed in Somalia and North Korea.

Adventure travel operator Untamed Borders even organizes trips to Afghanistan, Somalia and Somaliland and it's not the only one.

[READMORE]READ MORE: Dark Tourism Grows in Mexico[/READMORE]

However a recent attack by the Taliban has brought this type of travel to light - and not in a good way. Is this type of tourism safe? Is it appropriate? Read more on the discussion at Japan Today.


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