Tajikistan cancels decision banning foreigners from visiting Gorno Badakhshan
DUSHANBE, May 19, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan has canceled the decision banning foreign citizens from visiting the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).
The Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan informs that the decision banning foreign nationals from visiting Gorno Badakhshan has been canceled.
The travel ban for foreign nationals was introduced on May 15 because of unstable situation in neighboring Afghanistan.
Navrouz Qurbonov, an official with the Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs, says the ban that was introduced several days ago for the purpose of providing safety of foreign tourists has been lifted and the Tajik authorities have resumed to issue permits to foreigners to visit the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.
We will recall that Tajikistan banned foreigners from visiting Gorno Badakhshan, the country鈥檚 main draw for tourists several days ago.
The government claimed it had stopped issuing permits to foreigners to visit Gorno Badakhshan due to fighting across the border in Afghanistan.
鈥淭he ban is a temporary measure done for the safety of tourists.聽 As soon as the situation in the neighboring country changes for the better we will resume issuing permits to foreign citizens for visiting Gorno Badakhshan,鈥� Rezo Nazarzoda, the deputy head of the Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs, told Asia-Plus on May 15.
According to him, 80 percent of tourists come to Tajikistan to visit the Pamir Mountains in GBAO.
Gorno Badakhshan is home to many of Tajikistan鈥檚 highest mountains and other wonders, such as medieval Silk Road fortresses and alpine lakes.
National Geographic Russia recently named the Pamirs third in its favorite places to visit in the former Soviet Union.
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