Travel Influencers Venture into Taliban-Run Afghanistan
Margaritta, a 33-year-old travel influencer from Germany, began a solo journey through Afghanistan in May 2024, planning to explore the country for three months. Despite widespread news reports about the dangers in Afghanistan, she stated, “I was not scared.”
Using only her first name for safety, Margaritta expressed her enthusiasm to NBC News, saying, “I felt fantastic. I was treated like a queen.” Her adventure, which she documented on her TikTok channel, @margarittasworld—boasting over 18,000 followers—was described as “one of those amazing experiences that also pushed me.”
Challenging Perceptions of Afghanistan
Margaritta is among a select group of travel influencers who have visited Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2021. Their videos showcase the country’s stunning mountainous landscapes and rich tribal culture, actively challenging the narrative that Afghanistan is unsafe, particularly for women.
However, critics argue that these curated travel stories gloss over the stark realities facing many Afghans, especially women, under the Taliban regime. They contend that influencers contribute to a misleading portrayal of life in Afghanistan and inadvertently support the Taliban’s image.
Concerns from Activists
Orzala Nemat, a well-known Afghan activist and scholar currently serving as a visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, expressed her alarm over this trend. She told NBC News, “What we’re seeing instead is a curated, sanitized version of the country that conveniently erases the brutal realities faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule.”
Under the Taliban, Afghan women have been deprived of significant rights, including access to education and employment. In July, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two high-ranking Taliban leaders, accusing them of persecuting women and girls. The group dismissed these accusations.
Warnings Ignored
Despite clear warnings from the U.S. State Department advising against travel to Afghanistan “for any reason” due to the risk of wrongful detention, influencers continue to visit. Comparable travel advisories have been issued by the European Union and the UK, both of which lack operational embassies in Afghanistan, limiting support for their citizens abroad.
