Afghan tourism develops under the Taliban

Kabul, Afghanistan (AP) – by plane, motorcycle, motorhome and even bicycle, tourists are starting to discover AfghanistanWith solo travelers and travel groups gradually venturing into a country that was until recently embraced by the war.

And the Taliban government of the country, which seized power over three years ago but a still to be officially recognized By any other nation, it is more than happy to welcome them.

“The Afghan people are warm and welcoming and wish to welcome tourists from other countries and get involved with them,” said Tourism Vice-Minister, Qudratullah Jamal, to the Associated Press during an interview in early June. “Tourism brings many advantages to a country. We have considered these advantages and aim for our nation to take full advantage of it. ”

A potentially lucrative industry

Tourism is a vital industry of several billion dollars for many countries.

Afghanistan’s isolation on the international scene, largely because of the Taliban restrictions on women and girlsleft a large part of his 41 million people mired in poverty. While fighting to attract foreign investments, the lucrative potential of tourism is far from lost for the government.

“We are currently gaining a considerable amount of income from this industry, and we hope it will increase even more in the future,” said Jamal, noting that the money spent by visitors can reach more diapers from the company than income from other industries. “We are optimistic, this sector will evolve in a great economy, providing significant advantages. It plays an important role in strengthening our national economy. ”

Drip rather than a flood

Tourist visas are fast and easy to obtain and flights from major transit centers such as Dubai And Istanbul Operate 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 hotel and tourism sector.

Although visitors’ numbers are always very runoff rather than a flood, they increase. Nearly 9,000 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan last year, while nearly 3,000 people visited in the first three months of this year, Jamal said.

Four decades of almost continuous conflicts have removed almost all the vacationers of this country without coast of imposing mountains, deep gorges and millennia of history.

Taliban takeover of a government supported by the United States in August 2021 amazed the world And sent thousands of fleeing Afghans. But with the finished insurrection, the bloodshed of frequent attacks and suicide attacks has almost ended too.

However, attacks occur. A subsidiary of the Islamic State in Afghanistan remains active and armed men killed six people, including three Spanish tourists, An attack from May 2024 in Bamiyanone of the main tourist attractions of the country where Sécaire giant Buddhas The sculpted cliffs were exploded by the Taliban in 2001.

While Western countries are still advising to travel to Afghanistan, a decrease in violence of two decades of military presence led by the United States is indisputable because the government wishes to emphasize it.

“Afghanistan has gone through many years of war and difficulties. Now we want tourists to come and see the true traditions and customs of Afghans, to understand the life, creativity and resilience of Afghan,” said Jamal, noting that there was “complete security through Afghanistan”.

An ethical dilemma

Critics question the ethics of foreigners visiting Afghanistan for pleasure when its government discriminate So strongly against half of the country’s population.

Education beyond the level of primary school is banished For girls and women and few professions open to them. Women cannot enter the parks, gardens or gymnasiums.

Beauty salons are prohibited. The authorities dictate how women dress and have asked that they cover their faces In public, a decree always flouted by many, especially in Kabul.

Some visitors say they considered ethics, but finally wanted to see the situation by themselves.

The French Illary-Peruvian Gomez said that she and her British partner James Liddiard debated for about a year if it was necessary to cross Afghanistan as part of their motorhome at Van de Van in the United Kingdom.

“Some things did not feel goodly well,” she said.

But once here, they said they had found warm, hospital and welcoming people and beautiful landscapes. They did not think their presence was a form of support for the Taliban.

By traveling, “you put money in the hands of the people, not the government,” said Liddiard.

Bridge building

THE Women’s treatment is particularly sensitive for government representatives. Jamal refused to comment on the subject beyond saying that male and female visitors were welcome.

“Those who respect our laws and traditions have already come and can continue to come,” he said.

While most The restrictions are strictly applied On Afghan women, they are much more relaxed for foreigners. Although they must always wear a scarf in public, foreign women are more likely to enter small areas such as parks and are rarely invited to cover their faces in public.

The country’s opening to foreign visitors was also a way to build bridges, said Jamal.

“It is a great way to promote the interaction between the inhabitants of different countries. It helps to establish international relations and is also beneficial for trade,” he told the AP. “When foreigners come here, Afghans also learn a lot.

A foreign traveler seeing the country with his own eyes “creates proximity, establishes links and promotes people’s confidence,” said Jamal. “They will respect the culture of the other and the distance between peoples will decrease.

“It is therefore not only economic development; this also brings spiritual and political advantages,” he said.