Dramatic Increase in Tourists to Bamyan Amid Persistent Infrastructure Shortages

The Tourism Department of Bamyan has announced that since the beginning of the current solar year, over 517,000 domestic and international tourists have visited the province; a figure that officials say represents a two-and-a-half-fold increase compared to last year.

Sayed Ahmad Zia Kazemi, head of Bamyan Tourism, stated that efforts to grow the tourism industry continue, but fundamental problems remain unresolved. According to him, poor road conditions leading to historical and recreational sites, lack of professional guides, and insufficient facilities are significant challenges facing tourists.

Bamyan, known for its mountainous location and ancient monuments as well as natural landscapes, is considered one of Afghanistan’s key tourist destinations, attracting thousands of visitors annually. However, neglect in infrastructure development and the absence of effective planning by the Taliban administration have prevented the full utilization of the province’s tourism potential.

Local residents have repeatedly emphasized the need to improve roads, establish service centers, and train professional guides—actions that could not only attract more tourists but also create employment opportunities and foster economic growth in the province.