Ex-minister wants promotion of domestic tourism

Shah Nawaz Marri suggests development of Ziarat, Hanna Orak tourism sites

ISLAMABAD: Former provincial minister Mir Shah Nawaz Marri on Thursday urged the Balochistan government to take serious steps to unlock the vast potential of the tourism industry of the province as it possessed “a plethora of attractions.”

Talking to APP, Marri said the provincial government should take concrete measures to promote domestic tourism that could contribute huge revenue to the national exchequer.

He said the provincial government needed to enhance road connectivity, besides establishing restaurants, hotels, motels and carrying out other development projects across the province.

“The government must set up toilets at tourist sites to facilitate the visitors coming to Balochistan,” Marri said, adding that an advisory council for tourists should also be established. “The incumbent government should also organise cultural events, besides providing financial assistance to artists for their economic well-being in the province,” he added.

Marri said the development work should be initiated at the Ziarat and Hanna Orak tourism sites as both spots were attracting a large number of tourists every year.

“The province is blessed with numerous coastal areas like Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni which can help promote inbound tourism, along with various sites that hold historical and cultural significance. They can be transformed into major tourist attractions,” he pointed out. “The Quaid’s residency with its lush green lawns, trees and flower gardens offers a magnificent view of the whole valley. Ziarat is also home to world’s largest juniper forest,” he added.

Marri hoped that development of the tourism sector would eventually create more job opportunities for the local community.

According to an official of the Tourism Department, the government has allocated an amount of Rs760 million for the development and promotion of tourism sector of the province. Highlighting the steps taken in line with the promotion of culture and tourism in Balochistan, he maintained that the government had set up a culture and tourism policy for the first time in the province’s history.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2020.