KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Around 30 men are part of the debut student cohort at a Taliban-run institute training tourism and hospitality professionals in Kabul. Despite varying ages, education levels, and lack of professional experience, the men are eager to promote a different side of Afghanistan, as the Taliban are happy to help facilitate this. The country’s rulers are pariahs on the global stage due to restrictions on women and girls, struggling economy, poor infrastructure, and widespread poverty. However, with a drop in violence, increased flight connections, and the appeal of vacationing in an unusual destination, there is a buzz around Afghan tourism.
Foreign tourist numbers in Afghanistan have been steadily increasing, with 691 visitors in 2021, 2,300 in 2022, and 7,000 in the last year. China is the biggest foreign visitor market due to proximity and a large population. Despite the challenges of difficult and expensive visas, severed ties with many countries, and ongoing power struggles within embassies, Mohammad Saeed, head of the Tourism Directorate in Kabul, is optimistic about the future of Afghan tourism. He is working to overcome obstacles, with the ultimate goal of implementing a visa on arrival for tourists.
The road network in Afghanistan faces challenges, with airlines largely avoiding Afghan airspace and no direct routes with major tourist markets. Saeed aims to position Afghanistan as a tourism powerhouse, a goal seemingly backed by the Taliban’s top leaders. The institute’s students, including a model and a business school graduate, have aspirations to learn about Afghanistan’s history and picturesque spots, and to open hotels. The curriculum includes subjects like Afghan handicrafts, anthropology basics, and how to interact with foreign women in accordance with local customs and Taliban edicts.
As Afghanistan prepares for more overseas visitors, the country’s only five-star hotel has reopened its women’s spa and salon for foreign females. Restrictions on Afghan women and girls, such as a dress code, requirement for a male guardian, and limitations on public activities, have impacted travel companies and cultural interactions. Companies aim to support responsible tourism practices while also remaining aware of the broader political context in Afghanistan. There is no female representation at the Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management, highlighting the challenges faced by Afghan women under the Taliban rule.
Despite the absence of women in tourism training programs and the heartbreak of female family members unable to study due to policy changes, efforts are being made to promote tourism in Afghanistan. Tour operators work closely with women’s rights organizations, donating a percentage of tour costs to support programs in the country. The goal is to support responsible tourism practices that contribute positively to the local economy, foster mutual respect and understanding, and uphold values that align with broader international standards. The students at the institute are determined to showcase Afghanistan’s rich history and natural beauty, echoing a sentiment of hope for a new chapter in the country’s tourism industry.
