Bin Laden's Abbottabad Compound: Tourist Destination Or Shrine? (PHOTOS)

Much of the focus on Osama bin Laden’s $1 million compound up to now has been on what happened inside the 18-foot walls during the U.S.-led raid that killed the al Qaida leader.

But since U.S. Navy SEALs stormed the compound during the early hours of May 1, the hideout has become an attraction not only for locals and journalists, but tourists as well.

The Australian reports that some in the city encourage the trend:

"I can tell you for a fact that it will become a place of tourism," declared Muhammad Azfar Nisar, deputy civil chief of the city.

"Abbottabad is already a tourist location so the more visitors for us the better. People are already coming here from as far away as Lahore to see the house so why should we destroy the building? The more revenue the better."

Officials have cited Bin Laden’s sea burial as an attempt to prevent his grave from becoming a shrine, but the Daily Mail reports concern that his compound may become that type of symbol.

The slide show below has pictures of some of the crowds that have gathered outside the compound in recent days.