Places You Won't Be Able to Visit Due to War

The data doesn't lie; the world is in its most conflict-ridden moment since the Second World War. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, the number of armed conflicts around the globe totals 56, with 92 countries involved in military actions beyond their borders. These statistics contrast with a global rise in tourism, leaving an uncertain future for the world's image.

In Gaza alone, the UN has confirmed 49 heritage sites that have been destroyed during the conflict with Israel. These are pieces of history that, in some cases, will never be recoverable and are at risk of being forgotten. This is the fate of many other places that deserve their own space and may never be discussed.

It is no surprise at this point to hear that the situation in places like Ukraine or Gaza is critical. During an interview with EFE, UNESCO's Deputy Director for Culture, Ernesto Ottone, revealed that there are currently nearly 500 historical monuments severely damaged or even completely destroyed just in Ukraine.

These figures from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee also look at Gaza with concern, where the material damage is very severe (though, it is not comparable to the tens of thousands of human losses that have occurred in previous months). Ottone comments that, for now, it is impossible to estimate the monetary value of the losses, but he has a remark on the extent of the damages: "We are talking about very small territories, therefore, the destruction is massive and rebuilding in certain countries is very difficult," he stated in his interview with the Spanish agency.

The deliberate destruction of heritage sites is considered war crimes and attacks on the global collective memory, protected by the Hague Convention. UNESCO has reconstruction programs in post-war situations, but the lack of references and information about these places makes their reconstruction impossible in some cases.

It is hard to believe, but there is a type of tourism that feeds off these events and has been developing over the last few years alongside the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. It is called war tourism, which involves visiting conflict zones, typically with the help of a specialized agency.

In the case of Ukraine, there are many conveniences thanks to the free movement and (relative) safety of its western cities and capital. These places usually offer very affordable prices for accommodations and transport. However, in case of an accident, the government of the traveler's home country will refuse to cover any medical expenses or assistance, so it is always advisable to have special insurance for these types of expeditions.

Intermundial travel insurance offers a comprehensive coverage option for the most inconvenient situations and provides various add-on options to fit all circumstances and budgets. This type of insurance covers your medical expenses in case of an accident and provides coverage for lost luggage or extended hotel stays, common circumstances in such risky trips.

It should be noted that visiting these types of destinations is discouraged for most people due to the problems involved. However, in many cases, it is the only option to visit those places of which we do not know how much longer they will remain standing.