Taliban promotes tourism: A risky holiday destination

©Zabihullah Habibi via Unsplash

Now that the Taliban is actively promoting tourism, the regime is trying to position Afghanistan as a destination for adventurous travelers. Yet for many visitors, the country remains a destination with clear risks, even as the first Western tourists are once again flocking there for its natural beauty, historical sites, and Afghan hospitality.

The Taliban say that tourism offers economic opportunities and allows the international community to become acquainted with “the true traditions and customs” of Afghanistan. According to official figures, the number of foreign visitors is on the rise: after 691 tourists in 2021 and 2,300 in 2022, that number rose to 7,000 in 2023, while the government reports even higher numbers in the first months of this year. Among travelers, the idea of an exceptional experience is particularly prevalent. American visitor Ben Herskowitz called Bamiyan “one of the most beautiful places” he had ever seen and spoke to NBC about impressive landscapes and nearly empty archaeological sites. Other travelers also say they are impressed by the hospitality of Afghans, who often offer visitors tea, food, or lodging.

Growing tourism sector

The emergence of a small tourism sector is also noticeable among local entrepreneurs. Afghans are setting up new travel companies and say that social media and travel videos are attracting more and more people to the country. The government has even opened a training institute for tourism and hotel management to capitalize on this interest. At the same time, the situation remains deeply fraught. Afghanistan still struggles with poverty, international isolation, and serious human rights concerns, especially for women and girls. The Taliban have imposed restrictions on education, employment, movement, and access to public spaces, making the ethical debate over leisure travel to the country particularly sensitive.

Safety remains a risk

Although the major war of the past is over, Afghanistan is not free from violence. In May 2024, tourists were killed in Bamiyan during an attack in which Spaniards were killed. Western governments therefore continue to warn against travel to the country, while local tourism promoters emphasize that security has indeed improved since the Taliban took power in 2021. For travelers, Afghanistan thus remains a country of contrasts: spectacularly beautiful, culturally rich, and hospitable, yet at the same time politically repressive and still unsafe.

©Zabihullah Habibi via Unsplash