To draw tourists to Afghanistan, a facility under the control of the Taliban is training specialists in hospitality and tourism.
About thirty men make up its first student cohort, and they are receiving instruction in a classroom in Kabul.
The pupils’ ages, educational backgrounds, and work experiences differ. They lack any knowledge of tourism or hospitality, and they’re all guys because Afghan women are not allowed to continue their education above the sixth grade. However, they are all keen to provide an other image of Afghanistan. The Taliban are glad to assist as well.
Because of its limitations on women and girls, Afghanistan’s rulers are viewed negatively by the international community. Poverty is rampant, the infrastructure is inadequate, and the economy is faltering.
Despite this, foreign tourists are still coming to the nation, drawn by the dramatic decline in crime, the expansion of flight links to major cities like Dubai, and the prestige of taking a holiday in a unique location. Although the numbers aren’t great—they never were—there is excitement about travel to Afghanistan.
There were 691 foreign visitors in 2021. That number increased to 2,300 in 2022. There were 7,000 the year before.
China is the largest foreign visitor market, according to Mohammad Saeed, head of Kabul’s Tourism Directorate, due of its close vicinity and sizable population. Afghanistan has an edge over a few of its neighbors as well.
They informed me that they were afraid of being assaulted in Pakistan and that’s why they didn’t want to travel there. This is something the Japanese have also told me,” adds Saeed. “This is beneficial to us.”
However, there are drawbacks as well.
Obtaining a visa is expensive and complex. Following the Taliban’s comeback to power, many nations broke their connections with Afghanistan, and none of them still recognizes them as the country’s rightful rulers.
The operations of Afghan embassies were either halted or put on hold. There is a continuous struggle for dominance in Afghanistan between the embassies and consulates run by the Taliban administration and those maintained by the previous administration supported by the West.
Although Saeed acknowledges that there are barriers to the growth of Afghan tourism, he says he is collaborating with ministries to find solutions.
His ultimate goal is to have tourists receive visas upon arrival, but that may not happen for years. Airlines typically steer clear of Afghan airspace due to issues with the road network, which is only partially paved or nonexistent in some areas of the nation.
Although Kabul, the country’s capital, hosts the majority of foreign flights, no Afghan airport provides direct connections to popular travel destinations like China, Europe, or India.
Saeed hopes to turn Afghanistan into a major travel destination despite the obstacles, and it seems that the Taliban’s high brass supports this goal.
“The elders [ministers] have instructed me to report to this department. Since they sent me to this significant location, they must have faith in me.
The pupils have goals as well. Model Ahmed Massoud Talash is interested in finding out about Afghanistan’s media appearance history and its attractive locations for Instagram photos.
Samir Ahmadzai, a recent graduate of business school, believes he should gain more knowledge about tourism and hospitality before opening a hotel.
According to Ahmadzai, “they hear that Afghanistan is backwards, poor, and all about war.” “The past 5,000 years belong to us. Afghanistan should turn a new page.
Basic anthropology and Afghan handicrafts are taught in classes.
How to deal with foreign women and how their behavior or habits could conflict with local conventions and laws is an unofficial topic. Examples include women eating or smoking in public, as well as women interacting freely with men who are not related to them through marriage or blood.
The Taliban have mandated that women wear certain clothes and must travel with a male guardian, or mahram. It’s become difficult to eat by yourself, travel alone, and interact with other women in public. There are fewer locations outside of homes where they can get together, as beauty shops and gyms are off limits to women.
The nation’s lone five-star hotel, the Serena, has reopened its women’s spa and salon for international ladies after a months-long lockdown, suggesting that the nation is getting ready for more global tourists.
To receive services, foreign nationals must present their passport. Women whose ID states “born in Afghanistan” are not allowed.
Travel agencies abroad claim that the prohibitions on Afghan women and girls make it difficult for them to concentrate on the positive aspects of cross-cultural exchanges, such as giving to charities, sponsoring neighborhood initiatives, and only going to family-run establishments.
According to Shane Horan, the creator of Rocky Road Travel, going to Afghanistan shouldn’t be interpreted as endorsing a specific political system or administration.
“Still keeping in mind the larger political context in Afghanistan, the ultimate goal should be to support responsible tourism practices that positively impact the local economy and foster mutual respect and understanding.”
He claims that authorities have no authority over what tour groups see or do, and that the company has a close working relationship with an Afghan organization that advocates for women’s rights. Horan continues, “A portion of the tour fee is used to support this organization’s programs.”
The Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management is exclusively male. The pupils fail to bring it up. However, one Tourism Directorate officer does.
For fear of retaliation, the official, who requests to remain nameless, describes the situation as “heartbreaking.” Even the female members of the family inquire about studying here. However, the shift in power also brought about a change in policy. The women who had been studying prior to [the takeover] did not return. They were never awarded a degree.