Covid-19 cost around 40,000 tourism jobs in Galiyat

Locals say they are facing an unprecedented economic crisis

AYUBIA: The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the subsequent lockdown to curb its spread has played havoc with the tourism industry in the Galiyat region, with around 40,000 people associated with the industry rendered jobless, local businessmen say.

The summer season sees hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists stream to the hills of Galiyat which are replete with scenic landscapes and cool weather. However, the government closed down international travel apart from local public transport.

Abbottabad Assistant Commissioner Aminul Hassan said that on the directions of the provincial government, the local administration had stopped the entry of tourists in Ayubia National Park and the Galiyat region. However, he said that some used lesser-known routes to enter the region.

Ayubia National Park Trade Union President Waseem Abbasi told The Express Tribune on Sunday that an independent survey conducted by a think-tank during the past 10 years–2010 to 2019– local tourism in the region used to generate up to Rs20 billion in revenues every year.

However, Abbasi said that the tourism industry is now facing a massive economic crisis because of the pandemic. He added that an estimated 40,000 people who benefited from the influx of tourists, including hotels, restaurants, shopkeepers, vendors and workers associated with transport and other services have lost their jobs.

The local businesspersons have appealed to the government to announce a stimulus package for them to revive the tourism in the region.

The Ayubia National Park Trade Union Secretary-General Sardar Niaz painted a grim picture. “We are facing the biggest economic meltdown in the history of the Galiyat region,” Niaz said.

Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) Director-General Raza Habib said that the authority is trying hard to meet its Rs0.45 billion revenue target, set for the fiscal year 2019-20 by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government.

However, he said that given the challenging situation due to the pandemic, they are not confident they will be able to achieve the target this year.

Habib, however, said that the GDA remains committed to taking all possible measures for the revival of tourism in the region.

“We are devising a comprehensive strategy to work in the current crisis and our team is committed to reviving the local economy this year,” he said.

The GDA chief reiterated the desire to create an enabling environment for local and international tourists, saying that the GDA will provide world-class facilities that commensurate with the country’s rich cultural heritage, rare archaeological treasures and exquisite environmental beauty in close partnership and coordination between the public and the private sector.

While sharing his views on the current situation, local Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Murtaza Javed Abbasi said that he is in touch with authorities. He urged the incumbent government to work efficiently in this challenging situation to help revive the local tourism industry.

MPA Nazir Ahmed Abbasi, from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said that he has consulted stakeholders in the local tourism industry and has asked them to prepare a proposal for reviving tourism in the region.

He promised to raise the issue with K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan to address concerns of people associated with the tourism industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2020.