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. |
Wheeler strikes out 6, Phillies top Nationals 4Mainland welcomes more Taiwan young people to visitDrua beat Reds to maintain 8th place in Super Rugby, Brumbies edge Crusaders with late penalty tryProtesters rally in Peru against decree classifying seven gender identities as “mental illness”Global tourism industry to get boost from Chinese travelers, says WTTC CEOSuzhou taps into international travel marketHouston weather: Power outages from storm raise risk of hot weatherChina issues alert for geomagnetic stormChina maps out key tasks in digitalizing countrysideSuzhou taps into international travel market