PESHAWAR
\nPakistan\u2019s tourism industry is continuously on the rise, with the country being widely hailed as \u201ctourism\u2019s next big thing\u201d due to its diverse treasures.
\nParticularly, Pakistan\u2019s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with its breathtaking landscapes, Ghandhara civilization, snowfall features and rich natural beauty, holds immense tourism potential, especially in its northern districts that needed Govt patronage for bolstering the rural economy and alleviation of poverty for the masses\u2019 benefits.
\nBlessed with plenty of adventure tourism and snow sports opportunities, including being the home to stunning mountain peaks of Falak Sair, Elum, Trich Mir and its picturesque snow-clad valleys and Ghandhara civilizations, alongside regions such as Malakand and Hazara, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was going to become a hub of winter tourism after launching of host tourism project.
\nHowever, the lack of affordable accommodation and poor connectivity remains a challenge that hinders tourism growth in KP. Additionally, issues like the threat of terrorism, inadequate roads infrastructure, socio-cultural and language barriers continue to pose obstacles in way of the sustainable tourism.
\nDespite these challenges, KP\u2019s northern areas including Swat, Chitral, Dir, Mansehra and Abbottabad hold a unique potential, particularly for the promotion of snow sports, adventure, heritage and eco-tourism.
\nTo capitalize on KP\u2019s tourism wealth and foster the region\u2019s socioeconomic growth, the provincial government is going to launch the Host Tourism Project (HTP) aims at financial empowerment of local communities by promoting community-based accommodations to tourists.
\nSaad Khan, spokesperson for the Culture and Tourism Authority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that under the landmark program, local residents in tourist areas will be provided loans of up to Rs 3 million from the Bank of Khyber for the construction or renovation of at least two rooms attached to their houses, specifically for hosting tourists.
\n\u201cThe government\u2019s focus areas for the project include scenic spots such as Kalam Swat, Kumrat Valley in Upper Dir, Laram Top in Lower Dir, Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Galiyat Abbottabad, and upper Kagan Mansehra. These locations, rich in natural beauty and mountain treasures, have been identified as ideal for tourism expansion,\u201d he said.
\nSaad Khan shared that beneficiaries of this Qarz e Hasna (interest-free loan) scheme should be permanent residents aged between 20 and 55 in these areas. He said special encouragement is being given to women entrepreneurs and educated families. The government has also stipulated that the rooms constructed or renovated under the scheme must be used exclusively for tourism-related accommodation for a period of at least 10 years.
\nProfessor Dr Zilakat Malik, former Chairman of the Economics Department at the University of Peshawar said that the host tourism project was very important in terms of generation of jobs and revitalization of the rural economy. He said that the travel & tourism market in Pakistan is growing due to prudent pro-tourism policies of the Govt and is likely to grow by 6.75% (2025-2029) resulting in a market volume of over US$5533 million in 2029.
\nDr Zilakat said that SAARC countries were earning millions of dollars from tourism despite its limited tourism potential compared to Pakistan and suggested the use of digital media for tourism boost in the home of K2.
\nBesides the host tourism project, KP Culture and Tourism Authority spokesman said that new camping pods at Larum Top and Shahin Bin Shahi Lower Dir, Kumrat Dir Upper, Broghal and Sorlaspur at Chitral Upper, Shangla, Samana Haripur, Sulatharn Swat and Kalam would give upward push to promotion of winter sports in KP.
\nThe KP government has planned construction of three new ski resorts in Kaghan, Chitral and Swat while the Battakundi-Lalazar chairlift and the proposed cable car project at Dir-Chitral on completion would make the region a tourism hub.
\nThe development of waterfalls of Sajkot, Noori, Chajjian Haripur, Jarogo Swat, Lanchar Dir, Umbrella Abbottabad and four integrated tourism zones (ITZ) would increase Pakistan\u2019s tourism capital. This key initiative is expected to create sustainable income opportunities for local families, promote ecotourism tourism, and play a pivotal role in alleviating poverty in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR Pakistan\u2019s tourism industry is continuously on the rise, with the country being widely hailed as \u201ctourism\u2019s next big thing\u201d due to its diverse treasures. Particularly, Pakistan\u2019s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with its breathtaking landscapes, Ghandhara civilization, snowfall features and rich natural beauty, holds immense tourism potential, especially in its northern districts that needed Govt patronage […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-454049","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n