Isolated from much of the world since the return of Taliban rule and never a major tourism destination, Afghanistan has started training institutes for the tourism and hospitality industry in a move that seems like an even longer shot than Ukraine’s preparations for post-war tourism.
There are few international flights into the country other than through Dubai, and many potential visitors might be put off by memories of war and the restrictions on life and education for women and girls, but others might seek bragging rights of an off-beat destination.
But, according to Mohammad Saeed, head of the Tourism Directorate, the biggest market has another reason. He says that visitors from China, its nearest and most populous neighbor, have told him “they don’t want to go to Pakistan because it’s dangerous and they get attacked. The Japanese have said this to me also. This is good for us.”
On the other hand, aside from roads and facilities in poor condition after years of war, there are other difficulties, one of them being difficulties in obtaining visas, which are required in advance. In many countries, Afghan embassies and consulates are still in the hands of staffers from the previous regime.
Nonetheless, tourism numbers are growing, if still minuscule. 2021 saw 691 foreign visitors, rising to 2,300 in 2022 and 7,000 last year.
