Taliban marks four years in power by luring young female influencers to boost tourism

Four years after Afghanistan fell to Taliban control, the Islamic country is not only welcoming tourists, it's seeing a recent travel boost.

Taliban forces captured the capital city of Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021, following the chaotic withdrawal of American troops under the Biden administration.  

Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal told The Associated Press (AP) recently that Afghanistan had nearly 9,000 foreign visitors last year - with 3,000 tourists in the first three months of this year.

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"Tourism brings many benefits to a country," he said. "We have considered those benefits and aim for our nation to take full advantage of them."

United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization director-general Audrey Azoulay told Fox News Digital in a statement that the Taliban has wiped out any gains for Afghan women.

"This exclusion of women from public life in Afghanistan has disastrous consequences for the country's long-term development," she said.

"At a time when some are seeking to normalize relations with the Taliban, I call on the international community to remain more mobilized than ever to fully and unconditionally restore Afghan women's right to education."

One of the first Afghan female tour guides recently led a group through the National Museum of Afghanistan - and the group consisted of all women.

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Suzanne Sandral, an Australian in the group, told AP she was surprised. "It's not what I expected at all. I expected to feel rather fearful. I expected to be given a lot of ... accusatory looks. Not at all."

She said, "Wherever you go in the streets, if you smile at someone and give them a little nod or say hello, you get a terrific response. So it's very different."

Another woman in the group posted videos of her recent trip in June on TikTok. She captioned a video, "Exploring the nuanced and complex lives of Afghan women in context, and exploring all this beautiful land has to offer."

The U.S. Department of State, however, is very clear. 

It lists travel to Afghanistan as "Travel Advisory Level 4: Do Not Travel" - warning of civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and limited health facilities.

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"U.S. citizen travelers to Afghanistan have been wrongfully detained for months or even years," said a spokesperson. "We remind all U.S. citizen travelers that no adventure or vacation is worth the price of your freedom."

Other traveler influencers and regular tourists have shared their experiences on social media - with most showing the Taliban-run country in a positive light. 

A travel photographer posted a recap of her trip, saying she was "one of the first tourists to visit the country after the Taliban takeover."

She added in a TikTok video that has been viewed over 56,000 times, "I was completely blown away by the incredible hospitality of the locals, amazing food and beautiful scenery."

A popular solo traveler and social media creator posted a video of his trip to Afghanistan, writing, "I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about Afghanistan travel, but honestly, I had an amazing time there as a solo traveler."

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Another TikTok video that amassed nearly half a million likes shows an Australian traveler shopping at a food market.

"Some of the best food I have had in all my travels was in Afghanistan," said the video's caption in part.

Manizha Bakhari, ambassador of Afghanistan to Austria, told Fox News Digital the Taliban's promotion of tourism is an attempt at "image management."

"As someone who has lived and worked in Afghanistan, I can say this: What these female influencers experience is not representative of women's lives in Afghanistan," said Bakhtari.

She added, "The Taliban treat foreign women differently, and often with exaggerated politeness, because they serve a purpose in the regime's public relations strategy."

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The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released its human rights report in May, pointing out that Afghan women are being denied the opportunity to join the workforce and are unable to access services without a male relative - while girls are still deprived of their right to education.

The State Department wrote in its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices document that treatment of woman has become progressively worse. 

The new report stated that there has been "further restricted access to education, employment, and freedom of movement for women and girls - effectively removing them from public spaces."

"By showcasing scenic landscapes and hospitality toward foreign visitors, especially influencers, they aim to create a narrative of stability and openness," said Bakhtari.

Bakhtari noted she's seen a growing disconnect in global travel culture when it comes to adventure tourism.

"The thrill of visiting the 'forbidden' or 'untouched' often outweighs concern for human rights … [It] becomes a form of voyeurism, one that prioritizes personal experience over the realities of those who live under oppression."

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Kelley Currie, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, discussed the danger of visiting Afghanistan, saying Americans should "buy travel insurance."

The United States is "unable to provide consular services if something happens, especially if they are kidnapped and sold or given to other extremist groups," Currie told Fox News Digital. 

Adam Duckworth, Travelmation's president and founder, told Fox News Digital that travel companies take State Department advisories "very seriously."

"If you are considering travel to a location in the higher levels, then do your research to understand why those places are on those lists," said Duckworth.

Bakhtari said while Afghanistan is breathtakingly beautiful, "beauty should not blind us to injustice."

"Travel should open hearts, not close eyes."

The Associated Press contributed reporting.