While tourism may not be the first thing you associate with Afghanistan, the country does have much to offer to an avid traveller. And for those who call this country their home, have to often meet the contradictions of common stereotypes with the famous Afghan hospitality.
Bamiyan, the former home to the majestic Buddhas, is one such province in Afghanistan, that has opened its doors and hearts to tourists.
Interestingly, it is the only province in the country to have its own dedicated tourism board that capitalises on its unique place in the region and history.
“This office is a pilot project, but the government hopes to expand it nationally,” added Reza.
The office, nestled under the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, is supported by the Aga Khan Development Network and the New Zealand Agency for International Development.
Declared as the cultural capital of SAARC for the year 2015, Bamiyan receives several thousand visitors, local and international, every year. “This year alone we had over 20,000 recorded tourist traffic, few hundred of whom were foreigners who came to participate in the international skiing competition held in earlier this year,” informs Reza Mohammad, a former tourism officer at the Bamiyan Eco-Tourism Office.
By Ruchi Kumar for DNA. Published Thursday, 3 September 2015 – 5:55pm IST
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