Pakistan Notches Up Six Points On Tourism Index: Report

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan has moved six points up in the International Travel and Tourism Development Index as per the report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The report shows that the country is heading in the right direction in the tourism industry as its beautiful landscapes have attracted both the local and international communities.

Following severe heatwaves in the plains districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country, the tourists have thronged Nathiagali and Ayubia to spend some time in its soothing environment.

Four ITZs to improve sustainable tourism in the province: KPITDP director

The hide and seek between the sun and clouds with moderate to erratic rainfalls over the snow-clad Mukeshpuri (9,200 feet) and Miranjani (9,816feet) on western Himalaya Hills near Nathiagali in Abbottabad take tourists into a state of ecstasy.

At weekends, Nathiagali and Ayubia are flooded with tourists, trekkers and adventure sports enthusiasts enjoying its breathtaking natural beauty, spectacular landscapes, waterfalls, chairlift ride and colonial-era walking trails amid great fun and laughter.

Dunga Gali-Ayubia, Nathiagali-Ayubia and Mukshpuri Top are the most frequently visited sites of tourists with horse riding, camels and photography.

“Nathiagali and Ayubia are my favorite hill stations due to its diverse natural and mountainous beauty, chairlift and colonial-era walking trails,” said Haider Zaman, (55), a resident of Wapda Town Peshawar.

“I have visited many tourists resorts in Pakistan but the gripping natural beauty of Nathiagali and Ayubia chairlift have impressed me immensely,” he said.

However, a visitor could be disappointed to see garbage and polythene bags thrown at open places at these picturesque sites, he added.

The Kaghan Development Authority (KDA), and Wildlife Department and District Administration were responsible to ensure and maintain its cleanliness and make it pollution-free. He said as per international practice, vehicles are parked outside of the chairlift’s premises to protect its ecology from plastic pollution.

He suggested the construction of parking areas and installation of dustbins to protect it from plastic pollution.

Culture and Tourism Authority (C&TA) Spokesman Saad Khan said that 10 camping pods were established at various tourists’ resorts.

Pakistan is among the countries of Asia-Pacific region which has augmented its tourism ranking since 2019

 Boost Eco-tourism Tourism

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority General Manager Ali Syed said that the waterfalls of Lamchar, Sajkot, Noori, Chajjian Haripur, Jarogo Swat, Lanchar Dir and Umbrella Abbottabad would be developed on modern lines to promote ecotourism.

Tourist homestay loan project is being launched with the assistance of the Bank of Khyber to financially support local people to build a guest room for tourists’ stay, said Saad Khan.

He said the project would help generate employment opportunities for the local population of tourist areas. Saad said that 182 constables of the newly raised tourism police were deployed in Swat, Chitral, Mansehra and Abbottabad.

He said the development of four historical colonial-era tacks were in pipelines including Thandiani-Nathiagali having 8, 200 feet in height, 40km length and 1500 old trees belt; Thandyani-Biringali track, Dagri Bangla-MeeraJani-Nathiagali track and Kaghan- Mahnoor track starting from Shinkyari to Kund Bangla and onward to Shaheed Pani-Nadi Bangla to Musa KaMusallah.

The rest areas would be developed on these tracks beside the construction of washrooms and other facilities for tourists.

Integrated Tourism Zones

KP Integrated Tourism Development Project Director Tauseef Khalid said that four integrated tourism zones (ITZs) would be developed at Mankial Swat, Thandiani Abbottabad, GanolMansehra and Madaskhast Lower Chitral to promote sustainable tourism.

He said these ITZs would be constructed with financial assistance from the World Bank of USD70 million loan grant, and its feasibility studies and master planning is in final stages. He said ITZs would be linked with Hazara and Swat Motorways through approach roads. About 44 MoUs worth USD 8 billion were signed between different departments of KP government and international firms during Dubai Expo 2022.

Sports theme park would be constructed on 400 kanalland at Hund in Swabi district for which MoU has already been signed. As a result of the Federal and KP Government’s pro-tourism policies, he said that Pakistan has made a big jump by improving sixth place i.e. 83rd from 89th in the International Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), which was a great honour for Pakistan.

“Pakistan is among the countries of Asia-Pacific region which has significantly improved its tourism ranking since 2019,” he added.

Tauseef Khalid said the World Economic Forum latest edition of the TTDI includes 117 countries based on a set of factors and policies for promotion of a stable and sustainable tourism.

Under the Tourist Facilitation Hub (TFH) project, he said that 69 archaeological signboards in Mardan, 102 signboards were installed on Swat motorway, 93 boards in Swat and 48 boards in DI Khan. RESCUE 1122 stations were set up at Ayubia, Thandiani, Kewai, Kalash and Kumrat having facilities of two ambulances, one firefighting vehicle and emergency equipment.

Four more tourism authorities are being established at Kalash, Kalam, Kumrat and Naran.Mr. Khalid said the first ever tourism helpline 1422 was made operational providing round the clock service to people.