Tourism has remained an untapped resource for Pakistan for many years. Despite having some of the highest mountains, breath taking landscapes, a historically rich culture- Pakistan’s international appeal for travel has remained below expectation. This is primarily due to the rise of instability and insecurity in the country for the past few decades.
However, as a result of the recent direct foreign investment by China in the shape of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan has become visible on the tourist map once again. Due to the CPEC-related projects and recent stability, Pakistan’s ranking has improved with regards to tourism. In 2017, Pakistan generated PKR98.7billion in visitor exports. In 2018, it is expected to grow by 4.7 per cent, and the country is expected to attract 1.25 million international tourists.
CPEC has provided Pakistan with the tremendous opportunity to showcase its strong and diverse socio-cultural values. If we examine the significance of the travel and tourism industry through a domestic perspective, it has continued to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people by driving growth, reducing poverty, creating jobs and fostering development and tolerance. The recent accession of Pakistan into Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a permanent member has the potential to help the tourism sector grow exponentially. The SCO shares strong historical and cultural links with Pakistan, and can benefit tourism in the region as a whole
If we talk about scenic beauty, Pakistan hosts numerous tourist destinations. The northern areas, GilgitBaltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are considered relics of paradise on Earth. For example Naltar Valley is famous for its colourful lakes and pine trees. Neelam Valley, another tourists destination, hosts several brooks, freshwater streams, forests, and lush-green mountains. It is amongst the most beautiful locations of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Skardu is another epitome of beauty, serenity and wilderness. The valley on its way greets tourists with the outstanding hospitality of locals.
Road, rail, and communication infrastructures developed under CPEC will not only help Pakistan attract foreign tourists but also international investments for the travel and tourism industry
Domestic tourism has also witnessed a boost in recent years. An increasingly large number of local tourists have began visiting these obscure and majestic places, and through the development of better road infrastructure, this can be increased further.
International interest in travelling through Pakistan has increased as well, as evident in a report published by the British Backpacker Society, in which Pakistan stood among the 15 most attractive destinations for tourists in the world. Moreover the Backpacker Society ranked Pakistan the world’s top travel destination for 2018,describing Pakistan as “one of the friendliest countries on earth, with mountain scenery that is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination”. It is because of the CPEC and other similar projects that have facilitated this boost.
Road, rail, and communication infrastructures developed under CPEC will not only help Pakistan to attract foreign tourists but international investors to invest in the local industry. With the construction of CPEC, tourism destinations can be extended to Xinjiang in the northwest of China. The region is a combination of deserts and mountains and home to many ethnic minority groups, including the Turkic Uyghurs. Also, the 700-kilometre long coastal areas of the Arabian Sea can be made accessible to tourists via Kashgar-Gwadar Road.
The construction of CPEC is not only meant to improve infrastructure in Pakistan, but the main propositions of this multi-billion-dollar project are to promote harmony and friendship in the region to counter terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrimes, and other anti-state elements. Furthermore this will reinforce the relationship between SCO and Eurasian Economic Community. When all these projects are developed they will automatically improve the security environment for tourism.
The writer is Secretary General, Pakistan Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Friendship Forum
Published in Daily Times, July 28th 2018.