World Tourism Day is celebrated each year on September 27. This day was marked in 1970 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Aimed at generating awareness about tourism and its importance to the economic and cultural development of community, this is celebrated with different themes every year by a host country.

Tourism is an important industry of any country's economy. But unfortunately, the case has been different in Afghanistan due to decades of violence and the never-ending conflict.

Tourism was once a significant business. In the 1970s, about 120,000 tourists visited the country each year, generating millions of dollars.
The government tourism office estimates 3,000 to 4,000 tourists visit the country each year.

However, the daily media portrayal of Afghanistan as a place where bomb blasts and suicide attacks are routine, there has been few efforts from the Government in tourism promotion. The Afghan National Development Strategy identified tourism as one way for development. But still there are several major issues including transportation.

There are many tourist sites in the safest parts of Afghanistan where security threat is not an issue. The western media generally reports "insurgency in Afghanistan" whenever there is any incident in any part of the country. Whenever there is a bomb blast or explosion, media reports it in a way that gives the impression to ordinary people as if violence is routine in all parts of the country. Thus many international tourists avoid coming.

Before the civil war Bamyan was one of the most famous tourist sites in Afghanistan. Tourism was the only source of income for the geographically isolated part of the country. There have been efforts in last several years to attract tourists and build tourism industry in the province. But things have not improved.

Many tourists prefer traveling by air. There are no proper commercial flights because Bamyan is yet deprived of a proper airport. Many international tourists avoid traveling to Bamyan because of the security threats on the way from Kabul to the Province and unavailability of flights.

This year in March, European skiing enthusiasts held an annual Ski Challenge competition. With such events, tourism industry could be revived in Afghanistan. The government should do more to promote the industry. Construction of airport must be the top priority. Private investors should also be encouraged.