In recent years, Afghanistan has suddenly become a tourist attraction, especially from Europe and the Gulf States. Despite strict control and restrictions on women’s rights, under Taliban rule 2.0, the number of foreign visitors is increasing.
However, behind this phenomenon lies not only a desire to showcase the country’s cultural heritage, but an attempt to legitimise a regime that continues to violate basic human rights.
Official Taliban Position
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghan authorities have been actively developing the tourism industry.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, about 9,000 foreign tourists visited the country in 2024 and this figure continues to grow in the first months of 2025. To attract travelers, visa procedures have been simplified and regular flights are available from Dubai and Istanbul.
The Taliban sees tourism as a way to strengthen the economy and improve the country’s image.
Propaganda through Tourism: Regime’s Hidden Goals
However, despite the attractive offers, it is worth considering that tourism in Afghanistan is used as a propaganda tool by the Taliban.
Foreign tourists, especially from Europe, often find themselves in the spotlight of local authorities, which can create the illusion of stability and normalisation inside the country. Critics term this phenomenon “white cover” when actual attention of cultural attractions distracts from serious human rights violations.
Women under Pressure
Despite the Taliban’s efforts to attract tourists, the situation with women’s rights in the country remains critical.
Women are deprived of the right to education, work, and participate in public life. In response, some organisations have started organising women’s tours to show the real situation of women in Afghanistan.
However, such initiatives face difficulties and restrictions from the authorities. The gap between international perception and reality is stark, as tourists often remain unaware of these challenges.
Many Afghan women continue to live under severe social and legal restrictions. Tourism should not overshadow the urgent need for the parity of genders: men or women.
True progress in the country will require both local activism and international pressure. Visitors must be mindful of the ethical implications of their presence.
Ethical Dilemmas: is it worth supporting the regime through tourism?
Travelers who decide to visit Afghanistan face a moral choice: support local communities by providing them with income or help legitimise a regime that violates human rights.
Tour operators and influencers contest that their presence helps locals, via locally guided ventures, while others believe that it only strengthens the Taliban’s grip on power by marketing Afghanistan as a "safe, stable, and beautiful" country. Whilst the latter is true, natural beauty shouldn't disguise the truth behind closed doors beyond natural valleys and glacial water.
Tourism as a Mirror of Society
Tourism in Afghanistan is not only a way to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage, but also an indicator of its political situation.
Travelers should be aware that their visit may have consequences that affect the local population and international perceptions of the country. It is important to approach such trips with a sense of responsibility and an understanding of the real situation in the country.
Visitors must consider whether their presence supports local communities or inadvertently legitimises the ruling regime.
Tourism can serve as a platform to raise awareness about social and human rights issues. Observing local life carefully helps travelers understand the complexities beyond the tourist sites. Ethical travel choices can contribute positively if done with respect and awareness.
Ultimately, tourism should encourage informed reflection rather than blind consumption.
Historical and Cultural Attractions in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has a rich cultural heritage that attracts tourists from all over the world. One of the most famous sites is the Bamiyan Valley, where giant Buddha statues are carved into the rock dating to the 6th and 7th century.
Although they were destroyed in 2001, the site still attracts visitors with its historical significance and natural beauty. The city of Herat, known as the “Pearl of Khorasan”, is famous for its architecture and historical monuments, such as the citadel and the Friday Mosque. These structures reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region and are important tourist attractions.
In Kabul, it is worth visiting the Babur Gardens, an example of Persian garden art and the burial place of the founder of the Mughal Empire.
International Reaction
The international community has expressed concern about the resumption of tourism in Taliban-run Afghanistan.
Organisations such as Human Rights Watch and the International Federation for Human Rights have noted that tourism can serve as a propaganda tool, distracting attention from systematic human rights abuses, especially against women and girls.
The United States and other countries maintain a high security alert, advising citizens against travel to Afghanistan due to the threat of terrorism, kidnappings, and limited access to health care.
Tourism in Afghanistan is not just a journey, but an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the role we play in sustaning the regimes of power that oppress ordinary citizens. How our individual actions normalises and sustains oppression is something we should all consider before hopping on our next adventure.
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