Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them
ACCEPTANCE (AP) – Aircraft, motorcycle, camper Van and even bicycles are starting to explore tourists AfghanistanOnly travelers and tour groups are slowly entering a country wrapped in war.
And the Taliban government of the country It seized power for more than three years ago But there Officially recognized By any other nation, he is happy to host them.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Quratullah Jamal, in an interview at the beginning of June, told Associated Press, “The Afghan people want to host tourists from warm and hospitality and other countries,” he said. “Tourism brings many benefits to a country. We thought of these benefits and aimed to fully benefit our nation.”
Potentially profitable industry
Tourism is a vital, billion dollar industry for many countries.
Afghanistan’s isolation on international stage is largely Taliban’s restrictions on women and girlsHe left most 41 million people united in poverty. While struggling to draw foreign investments, the profitable potential of tourism is far from disappearing in the government.
Jamal said, uz We are currently earning significant income from this sector and hope that it will grow even more in the future, Jamal Jamal said, saying that the money spent by visitors can reach more society than other industries. “We are optimistic that will turn into a major economy and provide significant benefits. It plays an important role in strengthening our national economy.”
Drop instead of floods
Tourist visas are fast and easy and flights from large transit centers such as Dubai And Istanbul Run several times a week. Even the government was established An Educational Institute For men – and only for men – looking for a job in the hospitality and tourism sector.
Although the number of visitors is still a drip rather than a flood, they are increasing. Jamal said that approximately 9,000 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan last year, and about 3,000 people visited in the first three months of this year.
Twenty -year -old conflict, almost all holidaymakers surrounded by this land, rising mountains, deep Straits and the history of a thousand years.
Taliban’s acquisition from a US -backed government in August 2021 It stunned the world And thousands of Afghan fled. However, with the uprising, bloodshed often bombed and caused by suicide attacks ended.
But attacks are still occurring. A member of an Islamic State in Afghanistan continues to be active and armed men killed six people, including three Spanish tourists May 2024 attack in BamiyanOne of the main touristic places of the country centuries -old He flew up in the air by the Taliban in 2001.
While Western countries are still advising to travel to Afghanistan, a decline in the severity of the US -led military being is indisputable because the government is willing to point out.
“Afghanistan has gone through years of wars and troubles.
An ethical dilemma
Critics question the morality of foreigners who visit Afghanistan when they become a government. discrimination It is very heavy against half of the country’s population.
Education beyond primary school level banned For girls and women and a few professions are open to them. Women cannot enter the parks, gardens Or gyms.
Beauty salons forbidden. Authorities how women dress and Demanded that they cover their faces Flowed decree by many people in the public, especially in Kabul.
Some visitors say they are thinking about ethics, but ultimately they wanted to see the situation themselves.
French-Peruvian provinces Gomez said whether he and his British partner James Liddiard would pass through Afghanistan for about a year as part of his journey to Japan camping van from England.
“Some things didn’t feel morally right,” he said.
But once here, they said they found a warm, hospitable and hospitable person and beautiful landscapes. They did not feel that their existence had any support for the Taliban.
He traveled and said, “You put money in the hands of people, not the government,” Liddiard said.
Bridge building
. Treatment of women It is particularly sensitive to government officials. Jamal refused to comment on the subject beyond saying that male and female visitors were welcomed.
“Those who respect our laws and traditions have already arrived and will continue to come,” he said.
Most Restrictions are absolutely applied Afghan women are much more comfortable for foreigners. Nevertheless, although they need to wear a public headscarf, foreign women are more likely to enter some limited areas such as parks, and rarely they are asked to make their faces open to the public.
Jamal said that opening the country to foreign visitors is also a way to establish bridges.
AP is a great way to encourage interaction between people in different countries. It helps to establish international relations and is useful for trade, ”he said. “When foreigners come here, the Afghans also learn a lot from them. In addition to expanding trade, tourism also helps to develop mutual understanding, cultural change and strengthens talents as people learn from each other.”
Jamal, a foreign traveler who sees the country with his own eyes, creates closeness, connects and creates confidence among people, ”he said. “They will respect each other’s culture and the distance between the peoples will decrease.
“This is not only economic development, but also spiritual and political benefits,” he said.
