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.
AI data training supported by domestic chips, supercomputers
Athletic director used AI to frame principal with racist remarks in fake audio clip, police say
Laura Dern, 57, supported by daughter Jaya Harper, 19, as she co
Asylum seeker who killed British retiree says he was seeking revenge for the people of Gaza
Rubiales denies wrongdoing when questioned in probe into Saudi Arabia deal for Spanish Super Cup
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot says his club in talks with Liverpool over a move to Anfield
Christy Turlington, 55, showcases her age
Cyclones and Wildcats will open 2025 season in the annual college football game in Ireland
Trump hush money trial: Prosecutors zero in on details as testimony resumes
Kansas man sentenced to 10 years for crash that killed officer, pedestrian and K
Martin Freeman breaks his silence on the fierce backlash surrounding THAT X
Channel 4 'spark axe fears as they halt production on a fan