November 9th, 2005, by Mary Winston Nicklin
Spotlight on: the Kabul Serena, Afghanistan’s First Five-Star Hotel
I just heard about another controversial development project: the first five-star hotel opened yesterday in war-ravaged Kabul. The Kabul Serena luxury hotel offers 177 guestrooms, ranging in price from $250-$1,200 a night. Afghanistan’s capital is being revitalized by foreign aid and investment (and profits from the opium trade). Yet many argue that money invested in development projects—such as the city’s luxury hotel—should be aimed instead at projects to aid the poor. On the other side of the coin, the hotel is providing jobs for 360 Afghans (20% women) and is helping to promote economic growth and international tourism. The hotel itself—as explained by its developer—helps the national economy by accommodating those foreigners who will have a major impact on developing the economy. What are your thoughts?
WorldHum also weighs in about the hotel opening (and the opening of the newest fancy shopping mall, complete with the nation’s only escalators.)
http://www.worldhum.com/weblog/item/kabuls_new_five_star_hotel_2005119/