Journey influencers enhance tourism to Taliban-run Afghanistan

Orzala, of RUSI, mentioned that whereas influencers with Western passports “roam freely, pose for photos and gain online fame,” these privileges are denied to Afghan ladies, who’re barred from colleges, jobs and even strolling freely in public with out being accompanied by male guardians.

There are additionally ethical and moral dilemmas, she added, as a result of earnings from tourism threat not directly legitimizing and financially sustaining a regime that has institutionalized “gender apartheid.”

As for movies from influencers that present Afghan ladies smiling within the background, Orzala mentioned, “This should never be confused with contentment or consent to the current reality.”

“This is not cultural exchange; it’s neocolonial tourism dressed up as adventure,” she added.

Visitors to Afghanistan are nonetheless within the low hundreds because the war-torn nation tries to rebuild its picture below strict Taliban-run Islamic legal guidelines and customs. Nearly 9,000 foreigners visited in 2024, whereas practically 3,000 visited within the first three months of this 12 months, in keeping with a report from The Associated Press.

Along with journey influencers, some tourism corporations are creating jaw-dropping movies which have since been reshared by Taliban accounts on social media in a bid to draw extra guests.

One outlandish 50-second video made by vlogger Yosaf Aryubi begins with an eerie scene of three individuals with baggage over their heads, presumed to be held hostage by the lads standing behind them, who’re dressed just like the Taliban with rifles slung over their shoulders.

“We have one message for America,” one of many armed males says, earlier than pulling the bag off one of many hostages, solely to disclose a grinning vacationer who provides a thumbs-up and says, “Welcome to Afghanistan!”

The video then cuts to male vacationers diving into scenic lakes and strolling by means of waterfalls, and even holding M4 rifles which might be revealed to be replicas.

Not each influencer sees Afghanistan in that means. In one other video, YouTuber Nolan Saumure, whose channel Seal on Tour has 650,000 subscribers, acknowledges that he solely interacted with males throughout his journey there.

In a 35-minute video titled “Afghanistan Has Too Much Testosterone,” Saumure spins the digicam round to point out a big crowd of Afghan males swarming him.

“It’s a complete sausage fest in here,” he says.