As tourists trickle into Afghanistan, Taliban government eager to welcome them

Tourism is a vital, multi-billion-dollar industry for many countries

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KABUL: By plane, motorbike, camper van and even on bicycles, tourists are beginning to discover Afghanistan, with solo travellers and tour groups gradually venturing into a country that until recently was wracked by war.

And the country's Taliban government, which seized power more than three years ago but has yet to be formally recognised by any other nation, is more than happy to welcome them.

"The Afghan people are warm and welcoming and wish to host tourists from other countries and engage with them," Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal told The Associated Press in an early June interview.

"Tourism brings many benefits to a country. We have considered those benefits and aim for our nation to take full advantage of them."

Tourism is a vital, multi-billion-dollar industry for many countries.