More facilities demanded as the number of tourists influx in KP

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The tourist influx at scenic spots of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was on the rise as around 33,027 people from across the country visited various destinations in one day to enjoy the pleasant weather. Different places of KP province are known for low temperatures in the Summer season and are the main reason of attraction for tourists from plain cities where mercury even touched 45 C mark. The statistics issued daily by KP Integrated Tourism Development Project (KITE) on Wednesday revealed that Galiyat attracted 16,311 tourists, Kaghan/Naran 13,321, MalamJabba 2,140, Chitral Lower 638, and areas of Upper Dir fascinated 452 tourists. A senior official at KITE said that the hotel industry was doing a good business due to the rise in summer tourism. Moreover, a large number of tourists are also expected during Eid ulAzha holidays. The administration is in the process of finalizing all arrangements to facilitate tourists, particularly during holidays.

When asked, the official said, “Murree was already attracting a large number of domestic tourists on a daily basis, especially during weekends.” Furthermore, school summer vacations are also the other reason for an increase in tourists.

A domestic tourist Benish Atif said that she recently visited northern areas and the hotel rates were too high, besides most of the food outlets were serving unhygienic foods. Expensive traveling in jeeps and other means of transportation was another hassle for the tourists who have to pay extra charges to visit and around the areas.

Similarly, another tourist from Punjab in a telephonic conversation said that the hotels in different hilly areas also charge exorbitant prices, demanding the relevant authorities to form regulations and set affordable daily charges for hotel accommodations. The authorities concerned should also take notice of the lack of tuck shops at tourists’ spots as complaints have been reported of charging high prices of mineral water and other snacks.