Pakistan needs to encourage local tourism and make sure that those from the low-income bracket can travel at low rates
LAHORE: As soon as spring comes to an end, people start making plans about summer holidays. They plan excursions to hilly areas to beat the heat and a large number of people seek to spend their holidays in the northern areas of Pakistan as the other provinces like Punjab and Sindh usually have very high temperatures in the spring season as well. Families from different provinces love to go and spend time in the northern areas in the mountainous landscapes and to give a break to their boring routine life.
Pakistan is a country with much natural beauty. Especially, the northern areas and the Kashmir region are one of the most picturesque areas in the world. The places visited most frequently include the Muree Hills, Bhurban, Ayubia, Patriata, Kaghan Valley, Naran Valley, Neelam Valley and Swat Valley. This part of the country is famous all around the world for its sky-high mountains, lush green valleys, mighty rivers, plentiful wildlife and beautiful lakes.
Due to the importance of these areas, the government of Pakistan should take measures to ensure that people can conveniently frequent these areas and enjoy their holidays. The government should make safe roads on the mountainous areas, provide electricity to motels on highways and also ensure the provision of an uninterrupted gas supply. Most importantly, tourist resorts should be provided security so that families can travel freely and enjoy themselves without feeling threatened. Pakistan needs to encourage local tourism and make sure that those from the low-income bracket can travel at low rates because the higher cost of staying in the northern areas of Pakistan has made it difficult for common people to travel to these remote areas. To be successful on this front, Pakistan has to overcome its weaknesses and for that purpose, tourism is an important source of foreign exchange earnings, promotion of cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, income generation, job creation and poverty alleviation.
Mehroz Shafiq
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2014.
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