Herat Sees Surge in Foreign Tourist Visits

With its many historic attractions, Herat has hosted hundreds of tourists from various countries in recent months.

According to local officials, over the past eleven months, 1,200 foreign tourists and nearly 30,000 domestic visitors have toured the province’s historical sites.

Wakil Ahmad Zahidmal, head of Afghan Tour in Herat, said: “Tourists have come from different countries. It can be said they have come from all over the world—from European, Asian, and American countries.”

Amir Mohammadi Herawi, director of the Ikhtyaruddin Citadel, said: “Nearly 30,000 people have visited the Ikhtyaruddin Citadel and the Herat Museum.”

Some foreign tourists visiting Afghanistan for the first time say they were surprised by what they saw. According to them, Afghanistan is more beautiful and safer than portrayed by Western media.

Luis Costa, a Spanish tourist, said: “I really love Afghanistan, and this is my first time here. People warmly welcomed us and are very hospitable. I had seen news about war and destruction on television, but when I arrived here, I saw a different face of the country.”

Mikayla, a British tourist, also said: “I found Afghanistan completely different from how the media portrayed it as frightening. There is security here, and our safety is ensured. Everything is good, and I saw women moving freely on the streets.”

The growth of the tourism industry is considered important for the country’s economic development. Some experts say the government should provide the necessary facilities to attract more foreign tourists.

Mohammad Rafiq Shahir, head of the Herat Specialists Council, said: “To attract tourists, the necessary facilities for accommodation, services, and transportation must be provided. Tourist attractions in cities should also be strengthened and preserved. We have around 800 historical sites in Herat that must be protected and promoted so that more tourists from different countries will come.”

With hundreds of historical and scenic sites, Herat is one of the main destinations for foreign tourists in the country. According to some cultural figures, before the wars of past decades, thousands of tourists from various countries visited the province each year.

Local officials in Herat say that in recent years, with improved security, the presence of foreign tourists in the province has increased once again.