War-Torn Afghanistan Looks to Tourism for Economic Boost

[Flesh Thorn]

BAMIYAN, Afghanistan — There's a new building in town, and it isn't a military barracks or a hospital. It's a Tourist Information Center.

Even as troops fight militants in the south, government officials and donors in Afghanistan's central Bamiyan valley are training tour guides and teaching restaurateurs about customer service. It's an attempt to draw tourism and return one small part of Afghanistan to normalcy.

The challenges are many — land mines, dangerous roads outside Bamiyan, and, not least, Afghanistan's reputation as anything but a tourist haven. But the hope is to persuade history buffs and adventure seekers that Afghanistan can be safe, and locals are eager to give it a shot.

News Link

[Horned Toad]

Do they issue you an AK along with your visa stamp?

[Flesh Thorn]

Do they issue you an AK along with your visa stamp?

Only to Swashbucklers. :D

[CloakAndDagger]

Mohammed: "Hey, Akhmed. Why are you looking so down today?"
Akhmed: "It's just...I don't think the Winter X-Games is going to adopt our proposal for the Land Mine Slalom."
Mohammed: "Really? That's a pity. You better submit it to the Action Sports Tour, I bet they'll accept it!"

[Silverback]

Do they issue you an AK along with your visa stamp?

Only to Swashbucklers. :D

OUCH

[The Warriors Mom]

I'm the Mother of an Army Ranger, I would go on one plane ride just to see my son at war. I miss him terribly. I don't care about the bombs, the guns, any of that, it is because I would go, but damn he would kill me for showing up there.

[Looon]

I'm the Mother of an Army Ranger, I would go on one plane ride just to see my son at war. I miss him terribly. I don't care about the bombs, the guns, any of that, it is because I would go, but damn he would kill me for showing up there.

I don't think that him killing you is who you should worry about...... :D

[The Warriors Mom]

Yes I know I was just being funny. They are really crazed over there, I would never make it to his FOB...lol. By the way how do I get the clown off of my avitar and download another to this site, I don't want to be a clown, he looks stupid!