The tourism industry is a huge industry for any country. The money international travel brings in literally numbers in the billions, if not trillions, in revenue every year. However, thanks to the war in Afghanistan, continued attacks by religious zealots and ongoing lack of gender equality, it seems that the tourist game is one that Afghanistan won’t be invited to play anytime soon.
Afghanistan is a place of great natural beauty, along with some interesting culture, both religious and non. The rugged terrain makes travel difficult but worth in. However, for less adventurous travelers, the lack of easily accessible roadways and hiking trails can prove difficult. The country is also a cite of interest for archeological types, as dig sites have pulled up many old and rare artifacts.
Unfortunately,Afghanistan’s reputation precedes it and tourism is all but dead in this country. While many may find the country interesting, most aren’t willing to take the risk. Especially female travelers. Afghanistan is one of the worst places in the world for women to live and the horror stories of women in Afghanistan are a regular occurrence in the news. When the Taliban was running the country, videos of Taliban police beating women in the streets was a common occurrence and women's rights were non existent. Even following the Taliban’s fall from power, women’s education continues to suffer, with only 15% of women in the country being able to read and write. In addition, Taliban operatives continue to attack education focused girls and boys alike on their way to and from school.
I’m certainly not saying the country hasn’t made significant strides since the days of Taliban rule. Women are now working outside of the home, in military, government and agriculture jobs. However, the country is still behind the times when it comes to equality, with laws still being on the books that require women to have male escorts and limits their ability to interact with men who aren’t family.
It’s a shame, because it really could be a beautiful country. Someday, I would like to see it. But right now, the country remains a little to volatile for my liking and I’ll spend my tourism dollars in an area that a little more female friendly. As a fully westernized woman, I can’t spend money in good conscious on a country that views women as little more than property. While they have made some changes for the better, those changes aren’t enough. In addition, the ongoing war and continued presence of Taliban makes this one of the more dangerous places in the world to travel.
Will there ever be a viable tourism industry in Afghanistan? Well, with the majority of women choosing family vacation spots, I highly doubt I’ll see it in my lifetime. However, if Afghanistan were to make a serious turn around on the treatment of women and if the Taliban could be ousted for good, the Afghani people could see a new era from the new income world travelers would bring.
