What's happened
The Taliban have launched a tourism training institute in Kabul with a debut student cohort of men eager to promote a different side of Afghanistan. Foreign tourists are increasingly visiting the country, encouraged by a drop in violence and improved flight connections.
Why it matters
The launch of the Taliban-run tourism training institute and the increase in foreign tourists visiting Afghanistan signify potential shifts in the country's image and economy. This development could impact the lives of Afghans by providing new opportunities in the tourism sector and potentially improving the country's economic prospects.
What the papers say
The Independent and South China Morning Post both report on the debut of the Taliban-run tourism training institute in Kabul and the rise in foreign tourists visiting Afghanistan. While The Independent focuses on the student cohort and the Taliban's efforts to promote a different image of Afghanistan, the South China Morning Post highlights the increase in foreign visitors and the factors contributing to the growth of Afghan tourism.
How we got here
Afghanistan's rulers, the Taliban, have faced global criticism for their restrictions on women and girls, leading to their pariah status. Despite economic struggles and poverty in the country, the Taliban are venturing into tourism to showcase a different side of Afghanistan. The rise in foreign tourists visiting Afghanistan can be attributed to reduced violence, improved flight connections, and the appeal of holidaying in an unconventional destination.
More on these topics
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The Taliban or Taleban, who refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, are a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement and military organization in Afghanistan currently waging war within that country.
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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.