Feasibility Study of Winter Tourism Development for Diversifying Bamyan's Economy

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of developing winter tourism in Bamyan by examining its capacities, challenges, and practical solutions for leveraging this opportunity. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 384 local stakeholders, tourists, and tourism experts and analyzed using statistical tests in SPSS software. The results indicated that Bamyan, with its unique natural features such as snowy mountains, frozen lakes, and rich local culture, has significant potential for winter tourism development. However, challenges such as weak transportation and accommodation infrastructure, lack of standard recreational facilities, and insufficient targeted advertising are major obstacles in this sector's development. Multiple regression analysis revealed that addressing infrastructural and managerial challenges and ensuring local community participation have a significant impact on increasing employment, economic growth, and social welfare. Moreover, correlation test results showed that developing winter tourism could contribute to environmental conservation, strengthening cultural identity, and improving the livelihoods of the local community. Based on the findings, it is recommended to implement comprehensive planning focusing on infrastructure development, attracting domestic and foreign investment, formulating modern marketing strategies, and educating the local community. These measures can not only enhance Bamyan's appeal as a winter tourism destination but also pave the way for the region's sustainable development and elevate its status at the national and international levels.