PTDC to hand over properties to K-P govt

CM Mahmood says Integrated Tourism Management Plan, 2020 will boost tourism

PESHAWAR: All is set to handover the pro­perties of Pakistan Tourism Development Corpor­ation (PTDC) in Khyber-Pakhtun­khwa (K-P) to the provincial government in an effort to promote tourism in the province.

The provincial and federal government agreed in principal to taking over of the properties of the PTDC in the province by the K-P government.

This was revealed during a briefing given to the K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday over the arrangements being made by provincial tourism department for promoting tourism in the province.

The meeting was informed that the provincial government had approved an amount of Rs360 million for the human resource liabilities of the PTDC and another amount of Rs250 million as contribution to its endowment fund.

The participants were further informed that an Integrated Tourism Management Plan, 2020 has been prepared to attract local and foreign tourists to the newly identified tourists’ destinations of K-P in the upcoming season.

Under the new plan, Local Government, Health, Communication and Works, Home, Rescue 1122, divisional commissioners and district administration have been assigned special tasks to facilitate tourist.

These tasks include provision of basic medical treatment facilities, sanitation and cleanliness, solid waste management, rehabilitation of roads, security of tourists, provision of foods and fuel in case of emergency, provision of temporary toilets, establishment of tourist facilitation centres and other necessary arrangements.

The chief minister was informed that tourist facilitation hub had been setup at provincial level to monitor the completion of the tasks.

Similarly, a mobile application and portal has also been developed to provide all the required information to the tourists in an easy way.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Mahmood stressed on a coordinated and uniform strategy for promoting tourism in the province.

The chief minister termed the Integrated Management Tourism Plan as a mile stone for the promotion of tourism in the province and directed the relevant authorities to ensure timely completion of the tasks assigned. He also directed for a advertisement campaign to project tourism potential of the province both at national and international level.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, K-P Finance Minister Taimur Salim Jaghra and Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai, Advisor to CM Ajmal Wazir, K-P chief secretary, additional chief secretary, principal secretary to chief minister and K-P tourism secretary were present during the briefing.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2020.