What some have dubbed as the new tourism niche, nuclear tourism–in which travelers visit atomic power plants and other nuclear-related sites–is quickly becoming all the rage and drastically altering how some people choose to spend their vacations. One need only look as far as the Trinity test site in New Mexico, which comes fully equipped with portable toilets and a nearby gift shop that sells rocks slagged by the blast, to be convinced that the landscape of tourism is forever changing.

It should come as no surprise, then, that in the wake of this increasing interest, Iran is keen to embrace the nuclear age. In October, the government announced plans to open its nuclear facilities to foreign tourists. Vacationers can choose to tour the enrichment plant in Natanz, the nuclear plant in Bushehr or the conversion facility just outside of Isfahan. Although no official details have been released on the nature of the visits, American tourists in particular ought to be flattered to learn that Iran is willing to pay top dollar incentives (well, only $20, actually) to attract them to their facilities. No word yet on what the going rate is for a Canadian nuclear tourist.

If you’re tempted to laugh in disbelief at the blatant glorification of nuclear power, don’t. Changes in technology are changing the face of tourism and tours like these are rapidly becoming a legitimate new avenue to promote and satisfy interest in nuclear activity, which is deeply embedded in our immediate experience of urban, technologically-sophisticated life. These tours, then, can be considered as an important social and cultural tool that helps satisfy society’s curiosity.

However, there are obviously very serious ethical consequences about promoting these kinds of ventures. After all, ethical travel is very much concerned with making careful, conscientious choices on what businesses to support and how to spend travel money. With Iran’s offer, a central issue facing would-be tourists is that they may be financially supporting nuclear enrichment activities. Supporting nuclear tours is, at the very least, questionable.