(Roz Dunya News)
"Only by promoting tourism can Pakistan's debt be repaid ... The potential in Pakistan's tourism industry is unmatched anywhere in the world. People go to Europe because they have no idea about the beauty of Pakistan.
These are some of the statements made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan on several occasions after coming to power with the hope and determination that the tourism sector will change the destiny of the country during his tenure. It was Prime Minister Imran Khan who later claimed that no other sector in Pakistan could generate as much revenue as tourism.
According to him, the government's efforts in Galya have increased tourism as well as profits, but even the Prime Minister seemed to realize that there was still a lot of work to be done. The Prime Minister himself expressed this fear that if there is a rush in the streets, there is less space, people have to sleep in cars.
(Roz Dunya News)
Is Pakistan ready to become an international tourist destination?
Despite all these statements and efforts, 22 tourists, including women and children, were killed in a severe blizzard last week in Murree, a popular tourist destination in Pakistan. This raises the question of whether Pakistan is ready to become an international tourist destination. Is the government and administration aware of the problems facing the tourism sector?
The BBC has been examining the PTI government's claims over the past three years to find out the answers to these questions, as well as talking to foreign tourists who have recently visited Pakistan, Murree residents, and the like. Conversations related to the tourism sector.
Lack of facilities and illegal construction in Murree
(Roz Dunya News)
After the incident in Murree, the trend of 'boycott Murree' was seen on social media. Murree is an old and ancient tourist destination where people from all over the country visit in summer and winter for leisure. So it is important to know what are the views of the people living in such a tourist destination and what are the problems that Murree is facing?
According to local Murree residents, neglected roads, illegal constructions, lack of parking, and hotel mafia are some of the major issues that need to be addressed. But another problem is the inattention of the authorities.
Waheed Abbasi, a resident of Murree, told the BBC that there was a lack of facilities on the roads of Murree. "There is no safety. There is no safety for those who come from Link Road, but having a facility like parking is the most important thing."
According to another local, Osama Abbasi, there has been no work on the Murree roads for three years. He said that apart from improving the condition of roads in Murree at present, illegal constructions should also be banned which was tarnishing the image of Murree.
Muhammad Faisal, a resident of Murree, says there is no regulation on hotels in Murree. "Agent mafia is strong. The hotelier knows that this tourist has come with the agent, so the room he has to get for five thousand is the same for twenty thousand because the hotel owners also have to pay the agent." '
According to Mohammad Faisal regarding pricing, the local administration has to be active so that it does not fall asleep, it should know everything.
Foreign tourist complains: 'piles of dirt and lack of transport'
(Roz Dunya News)
Complaints of local tourists keep coming to the fore in which the condition of roads, the price of hotels is at the forefront but what is the opinion of an international tourist about Pakistan? To find out, the BBC contacted a foreign tourist who recently visited Pakistan.
Syeda Noor is from Turkey but she lives in Germany and she also logs in tourist destinations. He visited Pakistan in September last year and shared his experiences with the BBC.
Syeda Noor admits that there are many beautiful places in Pakistan that are hidden from the public eye, especially the location of Fairy Meadows in the northern areas and the journey to reach it is memorable for her. "When I was on the Fairy Meadows jeep track, I was really afraid I would lose my life. If you ever want to go to Fairy Meadows, be prepared for a dangerous journey. "
But according to Syeda Noor, piles of garbage and lack of public transport are major problems in Pakistan. According to him, Pakistan is a very beautiful country but littering is a big problem in the whole country and one of the major reasons for this is the lack of facilities like dustbins. According to Syeda Noor, there is no significant arrangement for public transportation in Pakistan.
Regarding the promotion of tourism in Pakistan, he suggested that being a European, he likes to walk, but the roads in Pakistan are so crowded that he does not understand how to cross the road. According to him, "I felt a great lack of walking paths in Pakistan."
(Roz Dunya News)
 |
| Tourist resort owners Faiz Ali and Saira Jahan |
'Travel facilities and tax breaks'
The northern regions of Pakistan have become very popular with tourists in recent years. One of the reasons for this is better roads as well as social media. Faiz Ali and Saira Jahan are co-owners of a resort here.
Saira Jahan says the government has a duty to provide facilities for tourists and improve infrastructure. There are no other amenities, including washrooms, on tourist routes. Tourists do not get clean things. Tourism requires cleanliness.
According to Faiz Ali, another problem is travel facilities, including the difficulty of air travel to the northern areas. "Tourists from abroad pay in advance and then their flights are canceled. The government should also start the service of small planes.
Faiz Ali agrees with Prime Minister Imran Khan that the tourism sector in Pakistan can grow and many people are ready to invest in this sector but he thinks that the government should consider the tourism sector as an industry. You have to 'launch'. "If many investors want to invest in this country, they should be given a chance."
At the same time, he said, tax breaks would help boost the tourism sector. "Resort and hotel owners have to pay a lot of taxes, which is a must," he said.
'Local tourists are just learning'
Faiz Ali said it was interesting to note that he found it difficult to meet the expectations of local tourists as compared to foreign tourists because "the people of our country come only for entertainment."
Faiz Ali told the BBC that foreign tourists only need basic amenities. "They travel after a thorough inspection and that is why it is easy to deal with them. While tourists from our country only come for picnics, they do not travel."
Kumrat Valley: "Even the noise of water calms down here"
Son Skaiser: 'So many beautiful lakes but not a caste of slaves
'The biggest mistake in the world, fear of return'
According to him, the locals get out in small vehicles in severe weather and they are not ready to deal with the situation. According to him, local tourists should also carry the necessary tools and equipment. "To be a traveler, tourists need to know about the local culture, read the maps and have the equipment to be aware of the weather conditions."
According to Faiz Ali, people have been moving to the north for the last four or five years and now they are learning.
(Roz Dunya News)
What is the position of the government?
When the BBC contacted the prime minister's special assistant for tourism, Azam Jamil, he said he would soon inform the government of its position on the matter. According to him, it has been a few days since he took office and he still needs some time to explain the details of the government's policy.
However, a member of Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet told the BBC on Wednesday that a comprehensive tourism policy has been formulated under the name 'Brand Pakistan', which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan himself in the next few months. Will do it in weeks.
He did not elaborate on the details of the policy but said it did contain recommendations for improving infrastructure for access to tourist destinations.
