Mohammad Juma Sharifi
Volume 8 Issue 1 | Jun 2025
DOI: 10.31841/KJEMS.2025.178
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Abstract
Tourism is a key driver of economic, cultural, and social development worldwide. Afghanistan, endowed with rich historical, natural, and cultural resources, holds substantial potential for tourism growth. However, persistent security challenges, infrastructural gaps, and institutional fragilities impede sector development. This study employs a rigorous mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses, to identify and prioritise critical factors influencing tourism development in Afghanistan. Findings reveal that security is the fundamental prerequisite for sustainable tourism, supporting all other developmental aspects. Alongside improvements in transport infrastructure, destination management, targeted marketing, and enhancement of financial and communication systems are essential for creating positive tourist experiences and fostering sector resilience. The study recommends that policymakers prioritise securing tourists’ physical and financial safety, invest strategically in infrastructure and institutional capacity, and advance diplomatic relations and visa facilitation. Moreover, active local community involvement in resource preservation and service quality enhancement is vital to converting Afghanistan’s latent tourism potential into concrete socio-economic benefits.
Keywords: Afghanistan, Factors Affecting Tourism, Tourism Development, Tourism Industry