Why are the Taliban welcoming tourists to Afghanistan?

What in the World

• Episode: Why are the Taliban welcoming tourists to Afghanistan?
• Website: What in the World
• Feed URL: https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/w13xtvrv.rss
• Duration: 00:14:59
• Published: 2024-07-23 15:30

Last year, Afghanistan attracted 7,000 tourists from abroad. That’s despite many governments warning citizens not to visit the country because it’s ruled by the Taliban, an extreme Islamic group. Since overthrowing Afghanistan’s government in 2021, the Taliban have banned women from attending university and working in all non-governmental organisations. They’ve also ordered the closure of beauty salons across the country.

So why are tourists choosing to go there and what are the risks? The BBC’s Flora Drury joined us to explain.

Plus, we hear from Sascha Heeney, who’s actually travelled to Afghanistan both as a tourist and a tour guide, and Zarghuna Kargar, an Afghan journalist with the BBC.

Rising tourism is good news for tour guides in the country, like Rohullah, who told us about the rules that must be followed and what makes the country appealing to visitors.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Baldeep Chahal and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde