Daily Times

Transportation is one of the most important elements of tourism. It is considered a crucial and fundamental driver for the development and promotion of the tourism industry as it enables the mobility of a tourist from the place of origin to the desired destination and back. It facilitates the movement of business travellers, holidaymakers and those who plan to travel to their friends and relatives.

There are various modes of transportation, such as air transportation, automobile transportation, railway transportation and sea transportation. People have been travelling by different modes from on foot to riding in a plane. The world tourism has increased manifold so has the additional demand for the transportation sector. The transport system in Pakistan broadly consists of air transport, ports and shipping services, railways and roads. Roads are critical and the most important segment of infrastructure in any developing country. The link between tourism and a proper road network is the catalyst factor for the tourism industry to survive as it links the various tourism destinations.

Pakistan is blessed with numerous resources. Its tourism potential, if harnessed properly, can revitalise the economy of the country as tourism has become the fastest growing industry in the world. All provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, offer diverse heritage, culture and beautiful landscape and several attractions for tourists. Similarly, the province of Balochistan is not only strategically important because of rich presence of mineral resources as well as its prime location at the mouth of the Strait of Hurmuz and boundaries with Iran and Afghanistan but also due to immense tourism potential. Balochistan possesses huge tourism potential by its numerous sites of paramount importance. It has an 1100-km beautiful coastline, historic forts, variety of flora and fauna, the oldest juniper forests, beautiful mountains, deserts, mud volcanos, traditional and delicious cuisine, welcoming people and iconic heritage sites, including 9000-years-old Mehrgarh. These and other potential sites can be of huge attraction for tourists both from domestic and international if proper facilities and infrastructure are provided. The poor road infrastructure has not only badly affected the local economy and the social fabric, but the tourism sector of the province as well. Most of the touristic sites lack proper access and the required infrastructure. Similarly, transport has largely been a neglected area. The local and national transport infrastructure serves both residents as well as tourists.

Acknowledging the role and importance of transport and communication and its vitality for tourism promotion, the provincial government of Balochistan has given priority to the development of infrastructure and allied facilities. Several projects have been included in the Public Sector Development Programme for the road sector to link tourism destinations in the province that will lead to the economic prosperity of Balochistan. Besides, many other road sector projects are being executed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Some major road projects such as Zhob- Quetta road, Quetta-Sorab highway, Sorab-Hoshab highway and Hoshab Gwadar have already been completed. But still, the overall connectivity index of the road network in Balochistan is low. This requires more expansion of the road network to make easy mobility for people, good and services.

Equally important for the promotion of the tourism sector is affordable, efficient, comfortable and well managed public transport system

Equally important for the promotion of the tourism sector is affordable, efficient, comfortable and well managed public transport system. It enhances the opportunities for tourists and travellers who plan to visit attractions located within or out of town or cities. The on-ground public transport system in Balochistan including provincial capital Quetta is hardly providing a minimum acceptable level of mobility. It provides very little service and comfort that has brought complex mobility issues for the majority of the people marred by the challenges of inequality, poverty and limited access to basic services. Poor quality of public transport, dilapidated infrastructure and tenacious disregard to traffic further increase mobility issues.

However, despite fiscal constraints, the Government of Balochistan is in the process of launching green bus pilot project in Quetta on some main routes, the establishment of traffic engineering bureau and construction of bus terminals and rest places along the coastal belt. In addition to the road connectivity to the potential tourism destinations and investment in public transport, the considerable allocation of funds in the current financial year for the promotion and development of tourism sector is a commendable action and depicts the progressive vision of the government. This will be an important step that will not only help promote tourism but increase revenue.

As the world tourism is growing, the increase in traffic has put tremendous pressure on transportation. During the peak hours, serious congestion affects most passengers at roads and airports which results in waste of time and energy. Ensuring safety and security is regarded as another concern and a basic requirement for tourism. Apart from that, there has always been a grave apprehension that an increase in traffic may harm the environment. This means that transportation planning must take into account social, economic, cultural and natural resources costs when such facilities are designed and expanded. All such issues are big challenges which have an unfavourable impact on the perception of the tourists and create a negative image of a tourist destination.

Transportation is an inseparable part of tourism, and it is not possible to consider tourism without transportation. There is a need to think more about transportation and how it can be developed and integrated to serve the safe, secure and comfortable mobility of tourists in the best possible manner if tourism industry is to be flourished.

The writer is a Chevening Alumnus and Secretary of Culture, Tourism & Archaeology Department, Government of Balochistan