Pakistan Tourism Policy and Development

Dear readers, Pakistan is a country of entertainment and a high environment. Blessed with a variety of fauna and flora. Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world. It has a very beautiful landscape rich in cultural, environmental, religious, and man-made tourism. Given the majestic Himalayas, Hindukush, and Karakoram mountain ranges, five 8000 meters peaks, rugged meadows, majestic cedar forests, and majestic snowcapped peaks. Pakistan's tourism industry has great potential for venture capitalists, backpackers, and trippers. 

Pakistan's Tourism is an 8.48% growing industry over the past two decades and the contribution of tourism to Pakistan's GDP was 19.7 Billion US Dollars in 2019. It is worth saying:

Pakistan's tourism and tourism contribution to Pakistan's GDP increased from 4.4 billion US dollars in 2000 to 19.7 Billion US Dollars in 2019 growing at an average rate of 8.48%. According to the data displayed on this link, the increase of international tourists in Pakistan is growing significantly every year check this link.

 In view of the above facts the Government of Pakistan is now focusing on the following aspects of tourism in Pakistan to promote tourism as a major industry in its GDP growth:

• The government of Pakistan manages a tourism website to convey the tourism policies and marketing of sustainable tourism development in the country.

• Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is already working to promote and develop the tourism and hospitality industry in the country since 1970 under the authority of the government of Pakistan.

• A National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) has been established by the government of Pakistan to promote and market travel and tourism domestically as well as internationally.

• Decorating religious sites to promote religious tourism such as the Sikh community, the Buddhist community, and the Hindu community in Pakistan. this decoration of Gurudwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib and the free entry of visas to the Kartarpur Corridor are good examples.

• Planting more trees throughout Pakistan such as the Billions Tree Tsunami Program and now the 10 Million Trees Tsunami Program to reduce the harmful effects of global warming and enhance natural beauty.

• Improving legal and regulatory conditions in Pakistan for the safety of all.

• Provide additional administrative and recreational services to all human cultural, environmental, and recreational resources.

• Ease of visa policy as the start of eVisa for 190 countries  (list here) and Visa when it reaches more than 50 countries. There are now 11 types of Pakistani Visas for foreign tourists.

• Management of various cultural and religious sporting events in Pakistan such as the Shandur Polo Festival and winter sports such as the Naltar Ski Festival, Malam Jabba Ski festival, and ice hockey.

• Skardu AirPort is upgraded to Skardu International Airport for International flights by the civil aviation authority to facilitate International tourists to get flights to Skardu airport to save time and other weather constraints especially when they are visiting to spend their vacations.

• A tourist information counter is established in all airports for necessary guidelines for the tourists. Especially, at Skardu International airport an information desk is working to guide about Gilgit Baltistan tourism.

• The government of Pakistan is also utilizing a public-private partnership with many organizations to promote travel and tourism in the country. In this regard, the collaboration of the government and the Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan (SFTP) is a great example. 

• STFP is a non-profit and non-political national body of prominent professionals from the tourism industry as well as the top environmentalists of the country. It works to promote environment-friendly and sustainable tourism in the country with the close coordination of National and provincial governments. 

• SFTP has also established a mechanism with private-sector entities and other tourism-harmonious national and international bodies to collaborate on tourism policies, activities, and initiatives.