Business community enjoys summer windfall

Rush of tourists brings windfall for hotel owners, eateries, transporters

ISLAMABAD: The business community in northern areas, Galiyat and Murree have expressed joy over an increase in tourist flow in current summer season that has doubled business activities.

With summer tourism season drawing to a close and schools opening up to a slow start till middle of August, people are seen heading to the hills.

During a survey of Murree, the shopkeepers, restaurant owners and transporters told the media that in current season tourist flow was more than previous year and they are doing good business due to rush of tourists.

Muhammad Ashraf, a shopkeeper said that due to rush of tourists their business has doubled this season, “all of the local business community is happy over the rush of people at hill stations.”

A Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) spokesperson said that a large number of people are visiting hill stations to escape the heat in the plains.

Murree, Ayubia, Nathiagaali, Swat, Naran and Kaghan valleys have seen the largest number of visitors with the trend expected to continue.

Based on hotel booking data, the official said, Kalam has seen the largest number of visitor footsteps.

He attributed the spike in tourism to improved law and order situation that has opened up hilly areas to domestic and foreign tourists.

A transporter plying to Murree from Faizabad bus terminal said that in current season more people are visiting hill stations with their families and the transporters they are doing good business.

Official of PTDC said it was a good sign that the people were visiting tourists points especially Murree, Naran, Ayubia, Swat, Gilgit and Skardu. It helps improve the economy of these areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2017.