Syed Marwan Shah

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development (KITE) Project, funded by the World Bank, is expected to promote tourism and accelerate socioeconomic development in the province, WealthPK reports. Under the project, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has prepared a master plan for establishing integrated tourism zones (ITZs) to improve infrastructure and promote sustainable tourism development in the province.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority has invited an expression of interest (EoI) from domestic and foreign consortiums with sound experience in the development of the first-ever ITZs in Ganool of Mansehra district and Mankiyal area of Swat district on a public-private partnership basis. The project will accelerate socioeconomic development in the province. An official of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority told WealthPk that it was a unique project.

He said that it would ensure the provision of facilities to both domestic and foreign tourists at one location. The successful execution of the project will prove a turning point for the tourism industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as it will attract more visitors to the province by providing all necessary amenities to them. The influx of tourists and improvement of infrastructure will also attract investment to the province.

The official said that the provincial government created a favourable environment to attract more investors to the province. “The ITZs project is the finest opportunity for both domestic and foreign investors to invest in the tourism industry,” he added. According to a document of the KP Tourism Department, in recent years, largely due to increased security and improved accessibility, the tourism sector in the province has experienced substantial growth. Around 1.2 million domestic tourists and thousands of international tourists are visiting the province annually.

The tourism sector has generated more than $120 million in direct revenue. Recognising the high potential for tourism to contribute to economic growth and opportunity, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has prioritised the development of this sector. However, this development presents both challenges and opportunities. Increased tourism activities present an opportunity for poverty alleviation through economic growth, enterprise development and job creation, with particular involvement of local communities including women and poor people living in rural areas.

The influx of visitors also increases environmental and social challenges in the area. According to WealthPK research, investment in the tourism sector plays an imperative role in the development of a country. It is an effective source of income, employment and wealth creation. The promotion of tourism also plays an instrumental role in improving the image of a country and international perception. In order to achieve economic growth, Pakistan has identified sustainable tourism as a key driver.

Thanks to the government’s policy of easing visa restrictions, Pakistan has been able to attract a large number of foreign tourists. A total of 60,070 foreigners visited tourist resorts in the country during the last six years, particularly the captivating places located in the northern regions of the country. The country expects to see a 30% increase in the number of visitors by 2030 owing to the policies adopted by the government.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk