I.....actually would be interested in visiting. I know several urban explorers who've been there; as long as you don't stay for more than a few hours, the levels of radiation are minor.
It's weird, but I'm more worried about the effects on the wildlife than the effects on the tourists. Chernobyl and environs is now effectively a wildlife preserve for a surprising number of species--cormorants, native wild horses, red deer--specifically BECAUSE so few humans inhabit the area, allowing the populations to rebound dramatically. If they start trying to make it into a tourist area, as bizarre as that sounds, the only positive thing to come out of a horrific disaster may be threatened. Sigh.
Tourism, if done right, can be very good for a nature preserve area (my grandmother lives on one and used to make a chunk of living as a B&B).
Whether the Ukraine is going to go down the 'raise money to pay for preserving this' route or the 'exploit it for all its worth' route is of course unknown.
Unfortunately, what I know of UKR politics doesn't give me hope.
The German government is still buying radioactive wild boar meat from the Black Forest down wind because the truffles turn out to be really good at absorbing radio isotopes.
It's already open to some tourists, but with majorly strict limitations and the use of dosimeters, face masks, and other protective gear required. I'd be more inclined to pay actual tour guides who know the area and insist on the proper equipment than to trust any government that their tour was safe without.
Some friends were there this fall; here are schmoo's pictures: http://www.schmootography.com/Quiescence/Chernobyl/14445229_q2VcJ#1102984871_y8yF4 (including those from their being the first group allowed into reactor 5).
Check out http://www.schmootography.com/Quiescence/Chernobyl/14445229_q2VcJ#1102984871_y8yF4 for some new shots - friends of mine were there this fall, and were the first group allowed into reactor 5 since the disaster.
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 07:48 pm (UTC)Get out of here, Stalker.
Date: 2010-12-13 08:06 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 08:23 pm (UTC)Sorry... I had to.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 08:25 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 08:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 09:21 pm (UTC)Tourism, if done right, can be very good for a nature preserve area (my grandmother lives on one and used to make a chunk of living as a B&B).
Whether the Ukraine is going to go down the 'raise money to pay for preserving this' route or the 'exploit it for all its worth' route is of course unknown.
Unfortunately, what I know of UKR politics doesn't give me hope.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 10:16 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 10:26 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 10:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-13 11:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-14 01:20 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-15 07:02 am (UTC)Some friends were there this fall; here are
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-15 07:04 am (UTC)