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Exploring Pakistan one of 20 best holiday destinations
Last Updated: 2019-12-17 14:12 | Gwadar Pro
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by Fatima Javed

The Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Kaghan Valley is seen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. [Photo by Fatima Javed] 

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 17 (Gwadar Pro) – Pakistan has been ranked  No. 1 out of 20 best holiday destinations, according to Conde Nast Traveler, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine. In a report published on its website the magazine acknowledged Pakistan as the “adventure traveler’s must-visit” country.

“Thwarted by tales of terrorism and Taliban rule, Pakistan’s tourism industry has been stymied for the past two decades. But ancient valleys, relaxed visa restrictions and a high-profile royal visit means this remarkable country is finally getting the focus it deserves”, the report added.

From the mighty stretches of the Karakoram in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. What attract the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan is the following activities, like trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, camel and yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching.

The country is endowed with a rich and varied flora and fauna. High Himalayas, Karakoram and the Hindukush range with their alpine meadows and permanent snow line, coniferous forests down the sub-mountain scrub, the vast Indus plain merging into the great desert, the coast line and wetlands, all offer a remarkably rich variety of vegetation and associated wildlife.

In 2018, the British Backpacker Society also ranked Pakistan as the world's top adventure travel destination, describing the country as "one of the friendliest countries on earth, with mountain scenery that is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. Moreover, Forbes ranked Pakistan as one of the “coolest places” to visit in 2019.The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report placed Pakistan in the top 25 per cent of global destinations for its World Heritage sites, which range from the mangroves in the Indus delta, to the Indus Valley Civilization sites including Mohenjo- daro and Harappa.

One of the major reasons of growing tourism industry in Pakistan is the industrial, infrastructural and technological revolution taking place under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). With CPEC realization, number of visitors from across the world to Pakistan will enhance thus helping the tourism sector and generating revenue. Tourism within the country is therefore expected to boom in the years ahead making it a very attractive hub for investment in the tourism and hotel business.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Pakistan's GDP in 2016 was US$7.6 billion (PKR 793.0 billion), constituting 2.7% of the total GDP. By 2025, the government predicts tourism will contribute ?1 trillion (US$7.1 billion) to the Pakistani economy.

Earlier this month chairing a meeting on how best to promote tourism to the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasized on more coordination between the federal and provincial governments to fully capitalize on Pakistan’s tourism potential. International investors had expressed interest in funding the development of Pakistan’s tourism sector. “Pakistan has diverse and rich tourism potential in terms of mountain tourism, adventure tourism, desert tourism and religious tourism,” he added.

In a major step which was mentioned in Conde Nast traveler report also was Pakistan’s relaxed visa restrictions, Pakistan in a bid to boost tourism extended the visa-on-arrival facility to 50 countries and offered e-visa to citizens of 175 countries.

To increase tourism in the country the governmental tourism departments should be operated more effectively and establishment of tourism educational and training centers should be encouraged. It should be recognized that the government and private sector go hand in hand in the tourism industry.

Steps to create opportunities of employment, revenue, and income generation through economic activities for the local people by means of tourism development should be taken. Development of fundamental infrastructure such as roads, airports, a good transport system and provision of tax inducements to the hoteliers and other industries related to tourism should be encouraged by the government.

The safety and security of the foreign and domestic tourists should be assured and sustainable tourism policies to be established for stable tourism in the country. Publicizing of public spots using social media to attract visitors is also necessary. Good hotel industry acceptable to the international standards would give further boost to the tourist industry.

 

(Editor:元小娜)

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Exploring Pakistan one of 20 best holiday destinations
Source:Gwadar Pro | 2019-12-17 14:12
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