Promoting tourism: Government allots 61 rest houses to TCKP

The facilities will be used to house tourists in order to generate revenue

PESHAWAR: To benefit the tourism sector, the provincial government has handed over 61 of its rest houses to the Tourism Corporation Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP).

Situated in different scenic valleys of the province, these rest houses were being used by various government departments but will now be used for the promotion of tourism.

TCKP Director Properties Sajjad Hameed told The Express Tribune on Friday that the government had been spending Rs100 million every year on the maintenance of the rest houses, but now they will be used to generate revenue instead.

According to Hameed, officials of different provincial departments, including the irrigation, public health, forest, administration, construction and works, police and others, had been using the rest houses on official government visits.

“The facilities will be given on lease for 30 years to private companies on the basis of public private partnership,” said Hameed.

He added the TCKP has already assumed charge of seven such facilities in Galiyat, including Thandiani, Kalabagh, Barrian, Vindya cottage and Changla Gali rest houses.

Ten companies, including one from Dubai, have expressed the intention of investing in three projects that the TCKP wishes to construct in Galiyat to attract foreign and local tourists after acquiring these rest houses, said Hameed.

The TCKP plans to build an adventure theme park near Governor House, Nathiagali, complete with proper parking facilities and suite-type huts for visitors to rest in, a resort in Changla Gali and a chair lift at Mushkpuri, the second highest hill of the Galiyat.

“All three projects have to be completed within two years. We have received the relevant quotations from interested companies, however, they have not been opened yet,” said Hameed.

The provincial government has been making efforts to revive K-P’s tourism industry. For this purpose, the government has signed a lease with the Samson Group of Companies for the construction of hotels, a ski resort and a chair lift in Malam Jabba in Swat.

“Once completed, the project will earn millions annually for the provincial exchequer and will also improve the local economy,” said Zahoor Ahmad Durrani, a consultant associated with TCKP.

According to Durrani, locals will be trained in hospitality and assisting tourists so as to provide a cordial and welcoming atmosphere to visitors.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2014.