Favoriser le tourisme durable en Afghanistan : défis, perceptions et opportunités pour les femmes guides indépendantes

This project examines the case of self-taught women entrepreneurs who are emerging as key actors in promoting tourism that directly benefits the most vulnerable communities in Afghanistan. Their status as female guides in a historically male-dominated sector enables them to foster social inclusion and demonstrate that women can occupy a legitimate place in the economic sphere. Their initiatives, often rooted in local projects — such as homestays and craft-focused tours — generate essential income in regions where economic activity is limited and institutional support is virtually absent (Scheyvens, 1999). In doing so, they drive a dynamic of sustainable tourism that goes beyond the mere valorization of heritage: they facilitate the integration of other women into the labor market while directly redistributing benefits within families and communities. To increase their visibility, these entrepreneurs adopt innovative and pragmatic strategies, including the use of social media to reach international clientele, the organization of virtual tours to reassure travelers concerned about security issues, and collaborations with influencers, photographers, and foreign travel agencies to maximize the impact of their projects. Scheyvens (1999) underscores the importance of local empowerment in tourism development, while Richards (2021) highlights how, in post-conflict contexts, economic reconstruction can be built upon such grassroots initiatives.