Sheikh Fakhar-e-Alam
SINCE independence, Pakistan has been promoting peace and stability in the region or in any international conflict. Pakistan has sacrificed more than 100,000 lives in the War on Terror to bring stability in the region. During past two decades, Pakistan remained the victim of terrorism but due to resilience of the nation and professionalism of defence forces, it has eradicated the menace of terrorism. The intensity of blasts and terrorism incidents has been reduced. Pakistan has lost billions of dollars in the WoT. However, in the recent past, Pakistan’s economy is emerging, its law and order situation is enormously improving, it is opening new venues for tourists, special incentives are given for foreign investment in different sectors, ease of visa process, government initiatives to open health and education opportunities for foreigners are also in process.
Pakistan is full of magnificent sites which will make you fall in love with this country. It is rich with lavish greenery, forests, world’s tallest mountains, manmade sculptures, wonderful lakes, backdrops of Indus valley civilization, Sikh heritage, Mughal architecture, beautiful folk music, outstanding culture and a resilient nation. According to Global Peace Index 2020 Pakistan is improving on the peace front. The tales of Pakistani hospitality are also renowned across the entire globe. Online visa services have been launched by Pakistani government for above 175 countries and on arrival visa for 50 countries, making a visit to Pakistan easier. Pakistan received flood of travel vloggers, who displayed the magnificence of the country, particularly the northern areas like Swat, Naran, Fairy meadows, Chitral, Hunza and Skardu.
According to the report of “British Backpackers Society”, Pakistan was declared world’s third highest potential adventure destination for 2020. Mountain and desert jeep safaris, wild boar hunting, mountaineering, trekking, white water rafting, trout fishing, camel and yak safaris and bird watching are a few activities that attract the adventure and nature fans to Pakistan. Tourists find whatever landscape their heart desires here. Wherever you go within Pakistan you’ll be struck by what one viewer called the country’s “majestic geography”. Pakistan is unique for its range of natural landscapes and varied cultures. The best thing about Pakistan is its diversity. Every part of the country has something unique to offer.
Traveller by Condè Nast, one of the world’s best travel portals, has listed Pakistan as one of top tourist destinations for 2020. London-based travel company Wild Frontiers has also listed Pakistan among its top travel destinations for the year 2020. Lakes and mountains deserve their share of the attention, whether you’re hiking the K-2 in the spectacular Karakoram Range region, or enjoying the scenery from one of the beautiful Saif-ul-Malook Lake that traverse the north region, a country of amazing contrasts, lively colors, lush vegetation, stunning buildings and delicate mosques. The beauty and peace of Pakistan is further enhanced by the snowy peaks, blue skies filled with birds of prey and clear streams. If someone travels in northern KP, every turn he takes brings picture-postcard scenery. Karakoram High, Himalayas and the Hindukush ranges 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 coastline and wetlands, all offer a remarkably rich variety of vegetation and associated wildlife including avifauna, both endemic and migratory.
Government needs to introduce infrastructure development to attract tourism. Firstly, each place has its own peculiarities and these can become attractions, so government should promote that uniqueness. Special incentives should be given to local and international food chains. Secondly, to attract the tourists, festivals like Shandur Polo festival, National Horse & Cattle Show, Chilimjusht, Sibi Festival, Basant should be made more attractive by new innovations and many more should also be planned. Special artwork and sculptures to promote tourism should be prepared by experts specifically for different visitor target groups on tourism sites.
The tourists who came to our sites are full of expectations, which should be met accordingly. Thirdly, use latest technologies to promote our tourism like web, social media and words of mouth. Social media and online traveling platforms are the main way to attract and get in touch with millions of potential tourists. Fourthly, attract the influencers to promote our tourism. These influencers can be celebrities, vloggers, bloggers or anyone who has a lot of followers on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram or their own blog. Lastly, government should seek partnerships with organizations that have similar interests in order to build trust and gain new resources. Such partnerships can include hotels, motels, international food chains, restaurants, tour operators, travel agents, entertainment venues, or even local authorities from Pakistan.
International tourists should feel free and relaxed while planning to come to Pakistan. Along with that, the foreign investors would also get all type of safety, security and protection of their assets and investment in tourism industry. The people of Pakistan and its government respect the tourists. Those who have already visited Pakistan always have a dream in their mind to travel again to Pakistan. Let us strive to make Pakistan as new tourism heaven.
—The writer is an Academic Researcher & media analyst.
