Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The Taliban’s oppressive governance in Afghanistan has placed its unrecognized regime on the global stage as a pariah due to widespread human rights abuses. Despite this, the militant group has been pushing to promote foreign tourism in an effort to reshape its international image, attracting visitors to Afghanistan’s rich history and landscapes. Violence has notably decreased since the Taliban took control in 2021, yet this tourism drive is seen by many as a propaganda effort.
“The Taliban are using tourism to project a positive image of their rule,” said Afghan journalist Sami Yousafzai, underscoring how the regime seeks both financial gain and reputational repair through increased foreign visitors.
Tourist numbers have grown significantly, from 691 in 2021 to 7,000 last year, with Chinese nationals making up the largest group. Some international flights have resumed, and Taliban officials highlight tourism’s potential economic benefits, especially for a population facing unemployment and poverty.
However, Afghanistan’s burgeoning tourism industry faces obstacles. Visas remain expensive and hard to obtain due to international isolation, and the Taliban selectively issues them, barring journalists and human rights activists. Safety remains a major concern, with threats from groups like Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), who recently attacked tourists.
Critics argue that foreign visitors are being used to whitewash the grim realities of life under the Taliban. Many tourists, especially YouTubers, show a sanitized version of Afghanistan, often omitting the severe restrictions imposed on Afghan women and others.
“This distorts the truth,” said Nazifa Haqpal, a British-based Afghan researcher. “The reality under Taliban rule is dark and bleak.”
While foreign tourists enjoy access to scenic spots, Afghan women remain banned from public parks and tourist sites like Band-e Amir. As one woman lamented, “We are banned from enjoying the beauty of our homeland.”
Despite efforts to attract foreign attention, the local tourism industry remains stifled by the regime’s repressive policies, further alienating Afghans—especially women—from their own country.
