The Taliban take control of Afghanistan’s only luxury hotel

International news
On 1 February 2025, the hotel was officially handed over to the Hotel State Owned Corporation (HSOC), a government-run entity overseen by the Taliban’s Finance Ministry that operates three other hotels in Afghanistan. The Serena confirmed the closure, stating that their contract had been terminated five years ahead of schedule. However, neither the company nor the Afghan authorities provided details on the terms of the transition.

“After nearly two decades of dedicated services to Afghanistan and its citizens … Kabul Serena Hotel shall be closing its operations effective February 01, 2025,” the hotel said in a statement on Friday, 31 January. “The operations of the hotel will, as from now on, be taken over by Hotel State Owned Corporation.”

The takeover of the Serena Hotel seems to be part of the wider plan of developing a tourism industry in Afghanistan, with the Taliban having previously expressed their vision of turning the country into a tourist destination.

However, the strict policies enforced by the regime—such as bans on women’s education, public spaces and beauty salons—stand in stark contrast to the open, international image required for a thriving hospitality sector.