Another attack in Afghanistan soon and tourism is over: tour agents react to the killing of Spanish tourists in Bamiyan

Islamic State killing of Spanish tourists in a market in Bamiyan divides the country’s tourism industry, as tour agencies report cancellations

One tour guide says tourism in Afghanistan will be dead if there is another attack soon, but another says the terror threat hasn’t deterred visitors previously

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Thai tourists visit the Kart-e-Sakhi Shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan, in March 2024. The killing by terrorists of three Spanish tourists in an attack on a market threatens the future of the country’s tourism industry. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:45pm, 21 May 2024Updated: 7:16pm, 22 May 2024

An attack claimed by the Islamic State group that killed foreign tourists visiting a market in central Afghanistan has also dealt a blow to the country’s nascent tourism sector.

“If there is another attack in the next few weeks or months, Afghanistan’s tourism industry will be over,” said Joe Sheffer, founder of the Safarat tourism agency, which specialises in tours to the country.

He was speaking after the attack by one or more gunmen on May 17 that killed six people in central Bamiyan province, including three Spanish tourists. Another four foreigners in the tourist group were wounded.

The Islamic State group on May 19 claimed the assault on the group of 13 travellers with a Spanish tour agency, believed to be the first against foreign tourists since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

The site in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, where one of two giant Buddha statues stood until Taliban forces blew them up in 2001. Photo: AFP

The Taliban authorities have touted improved security in Afghanistan ever since their takeover in 2021 ended their insurgency against foreign-backed government forces.