Galiyat prepares for tourist influx as NCOC allows travel

Official says preparations finalised to enforce anti-Covid SOPs at each resort.

ABBOTTABAD:

In light of reopening of tourism activities as stipulated by the National Command and Operation Centre, Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) Spokesperson Ahsan Hameed said on Sunday that all preparations have been finalised to enforce anti-Covid standard operating procedures (SOPs) at each and every resort of the area.

He stated that the GDA and local administration's staff would be deputed in the field to ensure implementation of the guidelines round the clock. The official added that banners and panaflexes entailing the maintenance of SOPs are displayed across Galiyat to sensitise the tourists.

Hameed said sanitisation of all the hotels and restaurants had been ensured whereas their management had been told to operate the entities at fifty per cent capacity in order to keep the coronavirus at bay. He further said that indoor dining would not be allowed in the area, adding more than five hand washing booths had been installed at different places.

"We will only promote family tourism as our chief aim is to promote travel with responsibility in Galiyat," he remarked. He said that Galiyat was likely to attract a massive tourist influx as at least 23,000 vehicles were sent back from its entry point during the Eidul Fitr vacations.

Sabeen, a spokesperson for Malam Jabba Ski Resort, said that the hotel staff was fully trained to ensure implementation of the SOPs at the destination.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2021.