Over 800 foreign tourists visited Balkh this year

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Information and Culture Department officials say more than 800 foreign tourists from 60 countries visited northern Balkh province this year.

They link the increasing number of foreign tourists to full security across the country.

Abdul Wahid Ahadi, an official of Balkh Information and Culture department, said about 813 foreign tourists from 60 various countries visited the province during the current solar year that ends on March 21.

He said about 127 foreign tourists had visited the province last year and this year’s arrivals show an eight percent increase.

He added most of the visitors were from the US, China Russia, UK and Holland.

According to him, 15 well-equipped tourist hotels exist in Balkh and they provide all kinds of facilities to the tourists.

On the other hand, a number of foreign visitors who arrived in Balkh said they were happy to visit Afghanistan and especially Balkh province.

New Kheching  from China said he had been longing to travel to Afghanistan for years and now he was happy to have come to Afghanistan for the first time.

He said he liked Afghan culture, enjoyed the delicious food in Balkh and after visiting Balkh province, he would also travel to Samangan province.

Balkh is an ancient and cultural province of the country with historical and cultural heritage sites, Thousands of tourists arrive in Balkh every year.

kk/ma