Afghanistan's Taliban woos foreign tourists
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) —
Around 30 men are crammed into a Kabul classroom, part of the debut student cohort at a Taliban-run institute training tourism and hospitality professionals.
It’s a motley crew. One student is a model. Another is 17 and has no job history.
The students vary in age, education level and professional experience. They’re all men — Afghan women are banned from studying beyond sixth grade — and they don’t know anything about tourism or hospitality. But they are all eager to promote a different side of Afghanistan. And the Taliban are happy to help.
Afghanistan’s rulers are pariahs on the global stage, largely because of their restrictions on women and girls. The economy is struggling, infrastructure is poor, and poverty is rife.
And yet, foreigners are visiting the country, encouraged by the sharp drop in violence, increased flight connections with hubs like Dubai, and the bragging rights that come with vacationing in an unusual destination. The numbers aren’t huge — they never were — but there’s a buzz around Afghan tourism.
Related articles
EU legal adviser says some FIFA player transfer rules may breach EU law
BRUSSELS (AP) — FIFA rules on transfers can conflict with European Union legislation relating to com2024-05-01Zelensky, European Council president hold phone talks over Ukraine's accession to EU
KIEV, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Council President Cha2024-05-01Trump wins Idaho's Republican presidential caucus
WASHINGTON, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday won Idaho's Republica2024-05-01Jury selection in Trump hush money trial faces pivotal stretch as former president returns to court
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jury selection in the hush money trial of Donald Trump enters a pivotal and potent2024-05-01- Students learn the typography of the Chinese characters in London, Britain, April 25, 2024. An event2024-05-01
Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist reveal how her job impacted their marriage
Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist were still contending with one major issue that2024-05-01
atest comment