Kabul, Afghanistan (AP) – by plane, motorbike, camper and even on bicycles, tourists start discovering Afghanistan, with solo travelers and tour groups that gradually venture a country that was destroyed by war.
And the Taliban government of the country, which took power more than three years ago, but has not yet been formally recognized by another nation, is more than happy to welcome them.
“The Afghan people are warm and hospitable and want to host tourists from other countries and come into contact with them,” Vice -Minister of Tourism Qudullah Jamal told the Associated Press in an interview in the early June. “Tourism offers many benefits for a country. We have considered those benefits and striving for our nation to fully benefit from it.”
A potentially lucrative industry
Tourism is an essential industry for several billions of dollars for many countries.
The isolation of Afghanistan on the international stage, largely because of the limitations of the Taliban for women and girls, has left many of the 41 million people in poverty. Because it has difficulty attracting foreign investments, the lucrative potential of tourism is far from lost in the government.
“We are currently earning a considerable number of income from this industry, and we hope that it will grow even more in the future,” said Jamal, and noticed that money spent more layers of society can achieve more layers than income from other industries. “We are optimistic that this sector will evolve into a large economy, which provides considerable benefits. It plays an important role in strengthening our national economy.”
Drops instead of a flood
Tourist visa are quickly and easily available and flights from large transithubs such as Dubai and Istanbul work several times a week. The government has even set up a training institute for men – and it is only for men – looking for jobs in the hospitality sector and tourism.
Although visitor numbers are still a trickle instead of a flood, they are increasing. Almost 9,000 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan last year, while almost 3,000 people visited in the first three months of this year, said Jamal.
Four decades of almost-continu conflict, almost all holidaymakers kept out of this country surrounded land of towering mountains, deep gorges and millennia of history.
The acquisition of the Taliban of a government supported by the US in August 2021 surprised the world and sent thousands of Afghans fleeing. But with the uprising, the bloodshed of frequent bombing and suicide attacks ended, except.
However, attacks still occur. A branch of the Islamic State in Afghanistan remains active and Schutters killed six people, including three Spanish tourists, in an attack in May 2024 in Bamiyan, one of the most important tourist attractions of the country where age -old giant Buddhas were blown up by the Taliban in 2001.
While Western countries are still advising to travel to Afghanistan, a decrease in the violence of the two decades of the US -led military presence is indisputable, as the government wants to point out.
“Afghanistan has experienced many years of war and hardships. Now we want tourists to come and see the true traditions and customs of Afghans, to understand Afghan life, creativity and resilience,” said Jamal and noted that there was “extensive safety in Afghanistan.”
An ethical dilemma
Critics doubt the ethics of foreigners who visit Afghanistan for pleasure when her government discriminates so much against half the population of the country.
Education outside of primary education is forbidden for girls and women and few professions are open to them. Women cannot enter parks, gardens or gyms.
Beauty salons are forbidden. Authorities dictate how women dress and demanded that they cover their faces in public, a decision that is still written by many, especially in Kabul.
Some visitors say they considered ethics, but eventually wanted to see the situation for themselves.
The French-Peruvian Illary Gomez said that she and her British partner, James Liddiard, debated for about a year to see if they would drive through Afghanistan as part of their UK-to-Japan Camper from Journey.
“Some things didn't feel morally good,” she said.
But once here they said they found a warm, hospitable and hospitable people and beautiful landscapes. They did not think that their presence was some form of support for the Taliban.
By traveling, “you put money in the hands of the people, not the government,” said Liddiard.
Build bridges
The treatment of women is particularly sensitive to government officials. Jamal refused to comment on the subject, except that male and female visitors were welcome.
“Those who respect our laws and traditions have already come and can keep coming,” he said.
Although most limitations are strictly maintained on Afghan women, they are much more relaxed for foreigners. Although they still have to wear a headscarf in public, foreign women have previously access to some limited areas such as parks and are rarely asked to cover their faces in public.
Opening the country for foreign visitors was also a way to build bridges, said Jamal.
“It is a great way to promote interaction between the people of different countries. It helps to build international relations and is also beneficial for trade,” he told the AP. “When foreigners come here, Afghans also learn a lot from them. In addition to expanding trade, tourism also helps to promote mutual understanding, cultural exchange and strengthen talents while people learn from each other.”
A foreign traveler who sees the country with his own eyes “creates proximity, builds connections and promotes trust among people,” said Jamal. “They will respect each other's culture and will decrease the distance between people.
“So this is not only economic development; it also offers spiritual and political benefits,” he said.
