Afghanistan, once a dream destination along the Silk Road and a 1970s favorite for adventurous backpackers, is cautiously reopening to foreign tourists. Under Taliban rule since 2021, the country now finds itself in a paradoxical position: an ultra-conservative regime actively encouraging international visitors. Afghanistan tourism

Before decades of war, Afghanistan boasted dramatic landscapes, ancient cities like Herat and Bamiyan, and a warm culture that welcomed travelers. But years of violence, foreign occupation, and Taliban crackdowns — especially on women’s rights — turned the country into one of the least visited places on Earth.

Now, the Taliban sees tourism as a tool for economic relief and global image-building. Despite being internationally isolated and facing criticism for human rights abuses, Taliban officials say tourism can “bring income to society” and help foreigners “see the real Afghanistan.”

They’ve made tourist visas easier to get, flights more accessible, and security tighter in key areas. The number of foreign visitors has quietly grown, with a small wave of adventure-seeking travelers sharing their journeys on social media.

But this new wave comes with tension: Can tourism thrive under a regime that bans women from education and public life? Is it ethical to visit a place where freedoms are so heavily restricted?

As Afghanistan opens its doors, the world is watching — not just to see the sights, but to understand what kind of welcome truly awaits.

A Trickle of Travelers and a Welcoming Hand

• The number of foreign-tourist arrivals has grown from 691 in 2021 to approximately 7,000 or more in 2023.
• In 2024, nearly 9,000 tourists visited, and roughly 3,000 entered just in the first three months of 2025.
• Direct flights from Dubai and Istanbul now land in Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, and Mazar-i-Sharif, while tourist visas are easily available.

Qudratullah Jamal, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, expressed the administration’s enthusiasm in an early June interview with The Associated Press.

“The Afghan people are warm and welcoming and wish to host tourists from other countries and engage with them,” he stated. “Tourism brings many benefits to a country. We have considered those benefits and aim for our nation to take full advantage of them.”

This push comes as the Taliban seeks to leverage tourism, a vital multi-billion-dollar global industry, as a potential economic lifeline for a country still grappling with the aftermath of war.

Afghanistan’s isolation on the international stage, largely because of the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls, has left much of its 41 million people mired in poverty. As it struggles to attract foreign investment, the lucrative potential of tourism is far from lost on the government.

“We are currently earning a considerable amount of revenue from this industry, and we are hopeful it will grow even more in the future,” Jamal said, noting money spent by visitors can reach more layers of society than revenue from other industries.

“We are optimistic this sector will evolve into a large economy, bringing significant benefits. It plays an important role in strengthening our national economy.”

Tourist visas are quick and easy to obtain and flights from major transit hubs such as Dubai and Istanbul operate several times a week. The government has even set up a training institute for men — and it is only for men — seeking jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Why Tourists Are Just Starting to Return

1. Improved Security – Although attacks persist, overall violence has decreased since the Taliban’s takeover. The government promotes its ability to maintain “comprehensive security”.
2. Hidden Heritage – Travelers are drawn to Afghanistan’s breathtaking landscapes—from the Band-e Amir lakes (established as a national park in 2009) to ancient Silk Road cities like Herat, Ghazni, and the Bamiyan Valley with its famous (now gone) Buddha statues. These destinations were once part of the “hippie trail” until the late 1970s.
3. Cultural Diplomacy – The Taliban views tourists as bridges for cultural exchange. Jamal notes visitors foster mutual understanding and economic ties.
4. Growing Travel Services – Over 350 tour companies operate domestically, and a newly established hospitality institute in Kabul aims to prepare men (currently only men) for jobs in tourism.

Ethical and Security Concerns

• Risks to Travelers – The Islamic State–Khorasan remains active, as evidenced by a May 2024 attack in Bamiyan that killed six people, including three Spanish tourists. Afghanistan tourism
• Gender-Based Restrictions – Afghan women face severe repression: banned from secondary education, many jobs, public spaces, and subject to strict dress codes.
• Moral Dilemmas – Some visitors, like a French-Peruvian couple, wrestled with the morality of their presence in a country where women are oppressed—even as they argue tourism benefits locals more than the regime.

Foreign women travelers do find more latitude than Afghan women, with relaxed enforcement of veiling and access rules in certain public spaces.

Voices on the Ground and Digital Narratives

Travel vloggers are spotlighting this turbulent renaissance:

• Canadian influencer Nolan Saumure and others are documenting their travels, sharing both the country’s breathtaking beauty and its societal constraints.
• Some content creators depict interactions with Taliban figures, including weapon handling and training scenes—framing the trip as both cultural exploration and a challenge to Western media portrayals.
• However, critics warn of potential exploitation or inadvertent donations to the regime via tourist spending.

The Road Ahead: Cautious Reopening

The Taliban’s strategy includes:

• Streamlining visa processes, aiming for visa-on-arrival in the future.
• Bolstering hospitality training for men.
• Promoting under-visited provinces such as Badakhshan, Nangarhar, Nuristan, and the iconic Wakhan Corridor.
• Positioning Afghanistan as a post-conflict “adventure tourist” destination for daring travelers.

Summary about Afghanistan tourism

Afghanistan’s emerging tourism sector highlights a paradoxical blend of potential and peril. On one hand, it offers a path to economic revival, cultural preservation, and global interaction. On the other hand, it raises profound ethical questions, especially regarding women’s rights, personal safety, and whether tourism truly empowers citizens or indirectly supports an oppressive regime.

For tentative travelers, grasping both the country’s rich cultural wealth and its current human rights context is essential. Caution, informed awareness, and travel only through reputable, well-informed agencies are critical.