Nearly 3,000 Foreign Nationals Visited Afghanistan In Two Months, Claims Taliban
The Taliban National Statistics and Information Authority has reported that 2,901 foreign nationals visited Afghanistan between 22 May and 22 July.
According to the data released on Saturday at least 141 of the visitors were women. Of the total number, 2,855 reportedly entered the country via land border crossings, while 46 arrived through airports.
The Taliban stated that 467 of the visitors cited tourism including visits to historical monuments and cultural sites as their primary reason for travelling to Afghanistan. Others reportedly came for work or study purposes.
The Taliban administration views tourism as a potential revenue stream and a way to bolster the country’s struggling economy. In recent months, officials have attempted to simplify visa processes and promote direct flights, while actively encouraging YouTube and TikTok travel vloggers to document their experiences in Afghanistan. The campaign aims to promote a narrative of security and stability under Taliban rule.
However, the group’s engagement with foreign social media influencers has sparked controversy. A notable example was the widely publicised visit of a foreign pornographic film actor to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a move that drew sharp criticism.
Rights advocates argue that while Afghan women face severe restrictions on their basic freedoms, foreign tourists are being used as tools in a propaganda effort designed to normalise the Taliban’s repressive governance.
