War tourism
Arte documentary: Go on vacation where others die
War tourist Eleonora is allowed to train with the military in Afghanistan, scene from the ARTE program “War Tourists – Dangers Included”. photo
© Drygas Film Production/ZDF/dpa
They spend vacations where bombs fall, people shoot each other and terrible atrocities happen. War tourists throw themselves into life-threatening situations – again and again. What drives them?
Andrew Drury opens his garage door. Behind it are countless boxes full of souvenirs from vacations around the world. “This is a piece of humanity,” he says. Drury shows a bone he found in Sudan. He also has remains of a rocket that was fired from Chechnya. Drury is a war tourist. He goes on vacation where others die. But what is the appeal of these life-threatening tours? The documentary “War Tourists – Dangers Included” explores this question and follows various people who voluntarily expose themselves to such situations. The film will be broadcast on Arte on Tuesday at 11.20 p.m.
Agencies that specialize in offering trips to war zones can hardly save themselves from inquiries despite the horrendous prices. One of these travel agencies – “Warzone Tours” – organizes trips to conflict regions such as Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Lebanon and Nagorno-Karabakh. It is not known how many agencies operate in this market. War tourism is part of the adventure tourism industry, which is very popular today. The turnover of this entire industry was already estimated at 265 billion US dollars in 2012 – and the trend is rising.
For the adrenaline rush
The documentary by filmmaker Vita Drygas shows what people are willing to give for the next adrenaline rush – in the worst case, their lives. War tourism is part of him, it gives him joy, says Drury. He started doing this because he was bored with life. Although he has money and a great family, he wanted to experience a little more. “I’ve seen dead people, I’ve seen wars, but it still affects me,” says the building contractor from Great Britain with a smile.
The film also explores what this type of thrill tourism is all about. Tourists see themselves as enlightened extreme travelers, as people who want to question the information from the news. But is it perhaps just voyeurism, thoughtlessness or a lack of compassion?
The travelers go to places where people experience the greatest possible suffering. They talk to residents, give out small gifts to children and drive back to their safe home feeling elated.
In her documentary, director Drygas accompanies tourists who are almost fanatically looking for the next rush, possibly their last trip. But she also meets war tourists who question the meaning of their trips. Because they are not a help for the people torn by the war. Even if they wanted to.