ISLAMABAD – Famous for lush green valleys, waterfalls and mountaineeringtourism, KP is all set to make a leading role in materializing the visionof Prime Minister Imran Khan to make the country a hub of tourism.——————————
Tourism, which was the most neglected sector prior to 2013, had witnessedmassive turnaround during last government of PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwawhere record number of projects and schemes were completed besidessignificant increase in development budget of tourism sector has beenwitnessed.
“Before PTI Govt in KP, tourism was kept on 30th position in priority listin public sectors departments and corporations in term of funding and nowit has attained 8th position, thus showing PTI’s priority for this keysector,” said Sajjad Hameed, General Manger, Tourism Corporation KP (TCKP)while talking to APP.
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The KP’s annual development programme (ADP) for tourism, which was onlyRs311.204 million in 2013-14, had jumped to record Rs811.772 million in2017-18 and resultantly scores of mega projects were completed duringtenure of PTI Government, giving enormous boost to tourism in KP .
The previous PTI Govt had laid a strong foundation to make KP a hub oftourism as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and TCKP wouldfollow policies of newly elected PTI Government in letter and spirit, hemaintained.
Chairlift at Malam Jabba, which was totally destroyed during militancy in2008-09 was reconstructed and opened for tourists. ‘The newly reconstructedchairlift has been imported and is safe in all aspect,’ he told APP.
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As per the agreement, he said, KP Govt would earn Rs12million revenueannually with 10pc increase each year from Malam Jabba chairlift.
“Construction work on four star hotel adjacent to the chairlift has enteredin final stage and would be opened for tourists in upcoming summer seasonwith all modern facilities,’ he said.
Under Beautification Projects at Kalam, Naran and Galayat, a flagshipprojects of PTI Government, conditions of access roads in these scenic towswere improved besides establishment of children playing areas, tuck shopsand other facilities to promote tourism.
The GM TCKP said five Camping Pods, an eco-tourism friendly project of PTIGovernment, were also established at Thandyani in Abbottabad, ShahikhBadeen in DI Khan, Shahran in Manshera, Bishigram in Swat and Yakhtangi inShangla that would help expend tourism and reduce load on establishedtourists resorts in the province.
A total of 29 rest houses of different departments had been notified forhanding over to TCKP against which 19 were transferred to TCKP, he said,adding his department improved conditions of these rest houses and made 12of those fully operational before handing over it to Galyat DevelopmentAuthority (GDA). “Rs15million revenue was collected from these rest housesduring 2014-16 when these were under custody of TCKP,” he mentioned.
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To create awareness about our rich cultural heritage, architecture andcivilization, the GM said TCKP has planned and participated in a number ofimportant tourism events during last five years including youth visits toJahanabad Bhudda, Saiful Mulok, trekking and camping from Thandyani toNathiaGali, Jishan e Chitral sports festival, special training excursionfrom Peshawar to Attock Khurd, vintage car rally from Karachi to Peshawar,Indus river water crossing jeep rally near Swabi, fire engine centenary GorKhatree, Khanpur lake festival, restoration of Malam Jabba resort,international tourism expo, Kalash festival, Lahore international expo,Broghil festival near Pak-Afghan border, motorbike rally Supat, Kumratsports festival.
TCKP has also organized and participated in events like jewels of KP,international tourism exhibition, investment road show in Dubai, tour deGaliyat cycle race from Islamabad to Nathia Gali, Train Safari,Huner-e-Hawa & Huner Mela, Peshawar colours, train safari for transgendersbesides launching of the first ever tourism policy on March 16, 2016 of KP.
Hayat Ali Shah, Senior General Manager TCKP told APP that with assistanceof UNDP Camping Pods in all tourism potential areas would be establishedwith an estimated cost of Rs250 million and so far about Rs50 million werealready spent on this mega project that would attract a large number offoreign and domestic tourists.——————————
Under public private partnership (PPP), he said 400 kanal land was acquiredin Swabi district for water sports, tourism and recreational facilities,adding a modern chairlift would be setup in Narran at Manshera for which 63kanal land has already been acquired with assistance of private sector.
A network of tourists information centres was setup near Peshawar Museum,Jalababa Abbottabad, Chitral and Landaki in Swat besides tourists friendlypolice was raised in Swat and Abbottabad to guide and facilitate touristsin these scenic regions.
In addition to holding of Shandor and Kalash festivals, he said, excess andlinks roads in all major hilly districts including Chitral, Swat andManshera would be improved to give an easy excess to tourists.
“The rest houses, private tour operators, hotels, motels and guest houseshad received record booking orders from foreign and domestic tourists thisyear compare to last year, showing unshakable trust of tourists and peoplein the policies of PTI Government,” he said.
The senior GM TCKP said the recently merged tribal districts are ideal fortourism as these areas have enough natural tourist’s resorts that needed tobe tapped.
Hayat said TCKP is ready to establish camping pods in Govt. rest houses inNorth Waziristan, South Waziristan, Kurram Agency, Bajaur and Mohmanddistricts on priorities basis for facilitation of tourists. – APP