PESHAWAR: Often called land of six world heritage websites and second highest mountains peak Okay-2, Pakistan was a singular nation with loads of historical archeological, cultural and mountains treasures that required correct projection, particularly via digital and digital media to ease the nation’s financial and monetary woes.
Regardless of being house to 6 world heritage websites, together with an archeological surprise Moenjodaro in Sindh, Buddhist Ruins at Takht Bhai and neighbouring metropolis stays at Sahri Bahlol in Mardan and Taxila, historical Indus and Gandhara civilizations, 5 highest mountains peaks of above 8,000 meters together with the second highest Okay-2 (8611m), 108 highest peaks of above 7000 meters in globe, Kalash tradition in Chitral and quite a few historic monuments, Pakistan’s tourism income was very low by incomes solely $8.8 billion from this key sector in 2021.
The world journey and tourism council report 2021 has revealed that the journey and tourism sector has contributed solely $8.8 billion, roughly 2.9% of the overall GDP of Pakistan in 2017 towards $15 billion, which accounts for five.7% of whole GDP in 2019. Alike in 2020, tourism development has decreased by practically 25%, falling to $11.6 billion or 4.4% of GDP whereas jobs within the tourism trade additionally fell 11.1% from 3.45 million in 2019 towards 3.63 million in 2020 primarily because of COVID-19.
“These six world archeological websites, cultural heritage and highest mountain peaks in northern Pakistan are correctly showcased particularly via digital media to unpack its tourism potential along with addressing the nation’s financial issues,” stated Abu Zafar Sadiq, President, Alpine Membership of Pakistan whereas speaking to APP on Wednesday.
He underscored the necessity of appointing digital professionals and specialists to advertise the tourism trade overseas and guaranteeing good communications infrastructure, particularly in northern KP and Gilgit-Baltistan, which is important to advertise journey and mountain sports activities right here.
Abu Zafar stated Pakistan was essentially the most appropriate nation for winter sports activities particularly snowboarding at Nalthar Gilgit Baltistan and Malam Jabba Swat. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat valley, Naran, Kaghan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and much more areas within the nation had been essentially the most lovely locations the place holding of rivers, rafting, paragliding and snow sports activities might help appeal to overseas vacationers in droves.
“Immediately is an period of digital tourism. Technological developments had been reworking the journey and hospitality trade quick in growing nations together with Pakistan, and damaging perceptions and opinions could possibly be modified via efficient and accountable digital media methods and insurance policies in addition to particular applications and options via digital media to discover,” former Ambassador Manzoor stated.
“The scientific developments and trendy technological innovations have just about turned the globe right into a city and our superb tourism websites could also be successfully explored via the usage of the most recent devices, IT instruments and apps earlier than the world.”
He stated in developed nations together with the USA, UK, and China, the tradition of publicity of tourism locations via brochures, booklets and pamphlets had been changed by digital tourism and Pakistan might totally exploit its tourism treasures by utilizing digital platforms together with social media, world positioning system (GPS), web, mobiles apps and synthetic intelligence within the wake of mushroom development of IT sector.
On this connection, he stated Fb, Whatsapp, Twitter, Instagram and different efficient social media providers could possibly be utilised for fast dissemination of knowledge and projection of vacationers websites to bolster the agricultural financial system, journey and lodge industries, including the providers of famous vloggers, bloggers and social media teams could also be employed for projection of tourism websites.
Ambassador Manzoor stated China had made fast progress by selling tourism and its “one belt and one street initiative (OBOR)” has proved a sport changer, including CPEC being a serious element of OBOR was aimed to enhance infrastructure and transportation networks that might immensely assist promote tourism in Pakistan, particularly in GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Senior planning officer, KP tourism and sports activities division, Malik Muhammad Luqman stated KP’s tourism was being promoted via digital know-how and social media. A undertaking costing Rs238 million was ready for organizing totally different winter sports activities and tourism occasions in numerous districts together with Swat.
In addition to Kalam’s winter gala and tour-de-cycle race, he stated a sports activities rafting occasion at River Swat can be organised in addition to a global paragliding occasion at Saidu Sharif. New vacationer spots can be developed at Sola Tanar, Puchar and Jargo valleys whereas strolling tracks can be developed to advertise tourism in Swat.
Tenting pods can be established at new vacationers locations in addition to Kalash tradition occasions can be organized in Chitral, including Rs4.8 billion had been being spent on the event and building of latest roads in KP the place tourism police had been made operational.
Sheikh Badin vacationer resort positioned on the confluence of DI Khan and Lakki Marwat districts can be constructed with an estimated value of Rs3 billion whereas a vacationer wing for merged areas was being established to watch and oversee tourism-related actions there.
Luqman stated the tourism price range was elevated to Rs8.6 billion throughout 2022-23 whereas work on the world financial institution’s assisted KP Built-in Tourism Venture costing Rs17 billion was in progress in KP, including Rs 365 million undertaking was deliberate for feasibility research to determine new vacationer spots in KP.
