Tourism in Pakistan

Tourism in Pakistan

Tourism can be a profitable industry in Pakistan by providing awareness and policy on the part of stakeholders to promote the culture of tourism. A country’s image and reputation is based on its capacity to provide basic facilities to the tourists, especially to foreigners.

Pakistan is still counted in underdeveloped countries.when other countries can earn more money from tourism,why can not Pakistan.Our country is blessed with enviable natural beauty.The ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan said if a country like Switzerland can earn millions from tourism, Pakistan can certainly take necessary steps to attract tourists.Pakistan is a hub of tourism will not make any sense unless the government takes practical steps to create a culture of tourism which would require outlook of local people, tour operators, hotels and officials attached with the ministry of tourism.

When we talks about the culture of tourism it means four major requirements.

First, the attitude and behavior of local people matters a lot who are supposed to provide guidance and facilities to the tourists.

Second, the cleanliness must be at restaurants, eateries, washrooms and hotels at tourist spots . Unfortunately, besides few, there is lack of hygiene and clean environment for tourists, that creates a very bad impression at both local and foreign tourists.

Third, the affordable accommodation and good food is essential for creating a culture of tourism in Pakistan. During summer and winter tourist seasons, there must be a strict check of concerned authorities to hotel owners who try to take advantage of the situation and charge unreasonable amount from tourists.

Finally, the lack of tourism culture in Pakistan has much to do with corruption and bad policies regarding tourism departments in various provinces of the country who are either not devoted in their duties or lack of proper training to provide maximum facilities to tourists at reasonable prices. It is a pity that despite being rich in natural beauty, we are failed to observe proper work ethics and pursuance of a professional approach to attract foreign tourists. It is true that due to reigning pandemic since early 2020, the tourist industry all over the world has suffered but such situation can be used as an opportunity by making short- and long-term policies to train those who are related to the tourism industry.

Pakistan is blessed with natural beauty as well as historical and religious places,peaks, glaciers, lakes and forests which can attract the local and foreign tourist.The historical sites of Texila and Mohenjo Daro can be a big attraction for foreign tourists. The Tharparkar's desserts in Sindh,Cholistan in Punjab and the coast of Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, also have brilliant potential to attract local and foreign tourists in large numbers.

If the government and relevant stakeholders are interested in promoting tourist industry in Pakistan, they must make sure that adequate facilities are provided to the tourists. Policy makers should pay special attention to fulfill the basic requirements that are essential to promote the tourist industry in Pakistan.

The Government projects that Pakistan will earn Rs.1 trillion from tourism by 2025, in that case to meet the task,restless efforts should be made both at federal and provincial levels to create the culture of tourism by taking measures which highlighted above. Pakistan needs to take practical steps to provide safety, security, better hygienic, infrastructure and accommodation facilities so both local and foreign tourists can be pulled in.