KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) —
Around 30 men are crammed into a Kabul classroom, part of the debut student cohort at a Taliban-run institute training tourism and hospitality professionals.
It’s a motley crew. One student is a model. Another is 17 and has no job history.
The students vary in age, education level and professional experience. They’re all men — Afghan women are banned from studying beyond sixth grade — and they don’t know anything about tourism or hospitality. But they are all eager to promote a different side of Afghanistan. And the Taliban are happy to help.
Afghanistan’s rulers are pariahs on the global stage, largely because of their restrictions on women and girls. The economy is struggling, infrastructure is poor, and poverty is rife.
And yet, foreigners are visiting the country, encouraged by the sharp drop in violence, increased flight connections with hubs like Dubai, and the bragging rights that come with vacationing in an unusual destination. The numbers aren’t huge — they never were — but there’s a buzz around Afghan tourism.
Works from Fine Arts Exhibition of Chinese Women Artists
Florida Democrats hope abortion, marijuana questions will draw young voters despite low enthusiasm
Shooting after prom kills 1 and injures 3 in south Georgia town
Mississippi lawmakers expected to vote on Medicaid expansion plan with work requirement
I'm an American living in the UK
Fallacies and facts about China's overcapacity
Waiting for the collapse of the 'China collapse' prediction
Colleges grapple to clear out encampments of pro