Restrictions take a toll on historic sites

The cascading effect of the Covid-19 scare has hammered Lahore’s cultural tourism market. The Covid-19-related restrictions have curtailed outdoor activities in the provincial capital, limiting the crowds at heritage sites to a bare minimum.

According to details available with the Express Tribune, the provincial capital, which is dotted with historic sites, has witnessed a 60% reduction in the number of visitors.

“The past five months have been extremely difficult for us. We had to restrict visitors due to the pandemic,” said Tania Qureshi, spokesperson, Walled City of Lahore Authority. Under normal circumstances, Qureshi said, more than 800 tourists visit these attractions every day. During the pandemic, the spokesperson said, the number of sightseers dropped to 200 – 300 per day.

Since the onset of the global health pandemic, historic sites situated in the heart of Lahore, have mostly remained shut. Shortly after the end of the first wave, many cultural sites reopened. However, a significant drop has been noticed in the number of visitors.

Located at the northern end of the walled city, the Lahore Fort, a popular attraction that dates to the era of Mughal Emperor Akbar, has also finally re-opened after being shut for several months during the lockdown. Despite opening its doors to public, the UNESCO-listed fort, which spreads over 21 hectares and contains more 21 notable monuments, including the iconic Badshahi Mosque, is still struggling to attract visitors.

Known as Pakistan’s cultural hub, Lahore is home to several historic and cultural sites. According to the Director of Punjab Archaeological Department, most prominent attractions remained shut during peak of the pandemic. “Lahore Fort, the tombs of emperor Jahangir and his wife, Nur Jahan, were closed during the peak,” said Malik Maqsood, Director of Punjab Archaeology Department.

Situated along the banks of the Ravi River, the final resting place of emperor Jahangir, is another famous spot for sightseers. Tourists admire its interior that is embellished with frescoes and its richly decorated exterior. On the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status, the site attracts thousands of visitors each year. However, since re-opening, the number of visitors remain low.

According to officials from the archaeology department, Lahore’s famous Museum, which is usually crowded with domestic and foreign tourists, has also witnessed a 65% decrease in the number of visitors during the pandemic.

Known as one of the major museums in South Asia, the site was only visited by 83,993 people in 2020. Whereas in 2019, more than 240,000 visitors walked through its doors.

Health experts associate the decline in outdoor activities with the general fear of Covid-19. “The fear of disease is keeping people away from outdoor activities,” said one expert.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2021.