Though Afghanistan is by most accounts an exotic and beautiful country, years of violence and warfare has had an understandable impact on the tourism industry there. In fact, many western nations, including the United States and United Kingdom, warn their citizens to stay out of Afghanistan. According to their State Department, violence against foreigners is fairly common and it is difficult to prevent. Of particular concern is the abduction and kidnapping of foreign nationals followed by the inevitable demands for ransoms.
However, some folks simply must travel to Afghanistan because of their jobs. Often they are journalists, photographers, or foreign correspondents. And these people all need a place to stay while they are doing their jobs.
When it comes to travelling to Afghanistan, the particular accommodations are far less important than the region. What we mean is that it is important for travellers to check with their State Department or at least with reputable websites to see which regions of Afghanistan are hotspots for terrorist attacks. We don’t have to tell you that these regions and cities should be avoided at all costs. After all, finding a safe hotel in Afghanistan is not like in Europe .
What to look for? If you are a foreigner, especially an American or a British citizen, terrorist groups will be keeping an eye out for you. We don’t mean to scare you, but you should be prepared in the event that you encounter dangerous customers. The fact is that many terrorists groups in Afghanistan make a living by robbing, murdering, or holding foreigners for ransom.
It is a cold and brutal reality, but it is nevertheless the truth. So, if you are travelling to Afghanistan, make sure that you stay in a region or city that is considered relatively safe for westerners. Unfortunately, there won’t be many of them, but they can be found if you communicate with people in the know.