Dec 2, 2008, 15:03 GMT
Bamyan, Afghanistan – After three decades of conflict and persecution capped by one of history’s most heinous acts of vandalism, Bamyan in central Afghanistan, is sprucing itself up for the more adventurous tourist.
Becoming the country’s first declared mine-free province as hoped in 2009 will hardly attract sightseers in itself. But improved accommodation and transport from Kabul, renewal of the alcoves of the giant sixth century Buddha statues that the Taliban dynamited in 2001, and development of more sites can boost its pulling power.
‘There is good potential, Bamyan already has lots of attraction, even without marketing,’ said Amir Foladi, head of the Bamyan Ecotourism Programme being implemented by the Kabul-based Aga Khan Development Network and the provincial administration.
Afghanistan is definitely a place I want to visit, but my only question is about safety issue: how can you guarantee the protection of westerners in this insurgency torn country?
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