Afghanistan touts its tourism trade as younger influencers go to the Taliban-run nation

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Practically 4 years after Afghanistan fell to Taliban management, the Islamic nation is constant to welcome vacationers and seeing a recent travel boost .

Taliban forces captured the capital metropolis of Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021, following the chaotic withdrawal of American troops underneath the Biden administration.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal instructed The Related Press (AP) not too long ago that Afghanistan had practically 9,000 international guests final 12 months, with 3,000 vacationers within the first three months of this 12 months.

"Tourism brings many advantages to a rustic," he stated. "We've got thought of these advantages and intention for our nation to take full benefit of them."

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One of many first Afghan feminine tour guides not too long ago led a bunch by means of the National Museum of Afghanistan – the group consisted of all ladies.

Suzanne Sandral, an Australian within the group, instructed AP she was stunned. "It’s not what I anticipated in any respect. I anticipated to really feel slightly fearful. I anticipated to be given a number of ... accusatory seems. By no means."

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/08/672/378/taliban-promotes-tourism-tourists-visit-afghanistan.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/08/1344/756/taliban-promotes-tourism-tourists-visit-afghanistan.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/08/931/523/taliban-promotes-tourism-tourists-visit-afghanistan.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/08/1862/1046/taliban-promotes-tourism-tourists-visit-afghanistan.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> One of many first Afghan feminine tour guides led a bunch by means of the Nationwide Museum of Afghanistan not too long ago – and the group consisted of all ladies, as proven above. (AP Picture/Ebrahim Noroozi)

She stated, "Wherever you go within the streets, when you smile at somebody and provides them a little bit nod or say hi there, you get a terrific response. So it’s very completely different."

One other lady within the group posted movies of her latest journey in June on TikTok. She captioned a video, "Exploring the nuanced and complicated lives of Afghan ladies in context, and exploring all this stunning land has to supply."

The U.S. Division of State, nevertheless, could be very clear. It lists journey to Afghanistan as " Travel Advisory Stage 4: Do Not Journey" — warning of civil unrest, crime, terrorism, threat of wrongful detention, kidnapping and restricted well being services.

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"U.S. citizen vacationers to Afghanistan have been wrongfully detained for months and even years," stated a spokesperson. "We remind all U.S. citizen vacationers that no journey or trip is definitely worth the value of your freedom."

Different traveler influencers and common vacationers have shared their experiences on social media – with most displaying the Taliban-run country in a optimistic mild.

<source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/08/931/523/taliban-boosts-tourism-travelers-visit-afghanistan.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/08/1862/1046/taliban-boosts-tourism-travelers-visit-afghanistan.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> "What these feminine influencers expertise isn't consultant of girls’s lives in Afghanistan." (AP Picture/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A journey photographer posted a recap of her journey, saying she was "one of many first vacationers to go to the nation after the Taliban takeover."

She added in a TikTok video that has been seen over 56,000 occasions, "I used to be fully blown away by the unbelievable hospitality of the locals, amazing food and exquisite surroundings."

"No journey or trip is definitely worth the value of your freedom."

A well-liked solo traveler and social media creator posted a video of his journey to Afghanistan, writing, "I do know lots of people have combined emotions about Afghanistan journey, however truthfully, I had an incredible time there as a solo traveler."

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One other TikTok video that amassed practically half 1,000,000 likes exhibits an Australian traveler procuring at a meals market.

"A few of the greatest meals I've had in all my travels was in Afghanistan," stated the video’s caption partly.

"A few of the greatest meals I've had in all my travels was in Afghanistan," stated one particular person. "This was additionally the most effective sugar cane juice I’ve had." (iStock)

Manizha Bakhari, ambassador of Afghanistan to Austria, instructed Fox Information Digital the Taliban’s promotion of tourism is an try at "picture administration."

"As somebody who has lived and labored in Afghanistan, I can say this: What these feminine influencers expertise isn't consultant of girls’s lives in Afghanistan," stated Bakhtari.

She added, "The Taliban deal with international ladies in another way, and sometimes with exaggerated politeness, as a result of they serve a goal within the regime’s public relations technique."

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The United Nations Help Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) launched its human rights report in Might, stating that Afghan ladies are being denied the chance to affix the workforce and are unable to entry providers with out a male family member — whereas ladies are nonetheless disadvantaged of their proper to training.

The State Division wrote in its 2024 Nation Stories on Human Rights Practices doc that therapy of lady has develop into progressively worse.

The brand new report said that there was "additional restricted entry to training, employment, and freedom of motion for girls and ladies – successfully eradicating them from public areas."

Taliban fighters, above, have fun the third anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S.-led troops from Afghanistan in Kabul on Wed., Aug. 14, 2024. (AP Picture/Siddiqullah Alizai)

"By showcasing scenic landscapes and hospitality towards international guests, particularly influencers, they intention to create a story of stability and openness," stated Bakhtari.

Bakhtari famous she's seen a rising disconnect in international journey tradition with regards to journey tourism.

"The joys of visiting the ‘forbidden’ or ‘untouched’ typically outweighs concern for human rights … [It] turns into a type of voyeurism, one which prioritizes private expertise over the realities of those that dwell underneath oppression."

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Kelley Currie, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Financial and Social Council, mentioned the hazard of visiting Afghanistan , saying People ought to "purchase journey insurance coverage."

The USA is "unable to supply consular providers if one thing occurs, particularly if they're kidnapped and offered or given to different extremist teams," Currie instructed Fox Information Digital.

"Journey ought to open hearts, not shut eyes." (AP Picture/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

Adam Duckworth, Travelmation's president and founder, instructed Fox Information Digital that journey corporations take State Division advisories "very severely."

"If you're contemplating journey to a location within the larger ranges, then do your analysis to grasp why these locations are on these lists," stated Duckworth.