Raja Anwar runs a restaurant in Valencia, a beautiful city in Spain. After coming to Spain from Rawalpindi around thirty-six years ago, he married a local, and initiated his Pakistani cuisine business in the university area. When we reached his restaurant called ‘Sher Khan’ on 29thMay, he began dancing around us, overjoyed to see Pakistani visitors – a first for him over the past three decades. He believed it was destiny that had made him initiate his business to experience the fortunate day a Pakistani tourist came to pay a visit. I told him that even our group of seventy select tourists would not have made it to Spain, had the Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan, Duran Gi Menez, alongside Elena Gomez Aoiz, the Deputy Head of Mission, and Ines Mena Gomez De Merodio, the Head of Visa/First Secretary not extended their extraordinary help and support. These friends of Pakistan earnestly believe in warm and cordial relations between the two countries. His Excellency, Manuel Duran-Gimenez Rico, is highly appreciated in Pakistan for his professionalism, charismatic personality, exemplary diplomatic skills, and his respectful consciousness of our culture. Therefore, when I put forward the request for a group tour, he was very kind and forthcoming.
Our group of seventy people spent seventeen days in Spain, relishing the spirit of the country. During this period, we visited nine cities: Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Granada, Alicante, Valencia and Barcelona.
Spanish people are different from other Europeans, with their culture bearing numerous resemblances to that of our own. People in Spain are friendly, alongside being against social stratification, and racism. In Spain, the rich and the poor, locals and foreigners, all are treated at par. Within offices and factories, the executives and the staff eat the same food in joint cafeterias. At universities the deans dance with the janitorial staff during functions. The economy of Spain thrives on tourism, and thus, tourists are treated like special guests. They, like us, also believe in social networking. If a stranger asks for directions, they guide him to his destination. Interestingly, Spanish people are laid back. No matter what the season is, their daily siesta between 2 PM and 5 PM remains imperative. In the year 2000, there was a singular Pakistani restaurant in Barcelona, whereas now, this number has swelled to eighty restaurants. Around 80% of their customers are Spanish, owing to the fact that Spanish people tend to prefer fine food and good hospitality over race and colour. They also believe in trying new things, whether it be new cuisines or new traditions. Like us, they are also unhappy with their lethargic bureaucratic system and inordinate delays in legal judgments. Spain has an agriculture-based economy. Therefore, the country is dotted with fields, gardens and forests. In Andalusia, olives are planted on millions of acres, as are date plants. Spain earns billions of dollars by exporting olives. Orange orchards are spread along the road emanating from Valencia. Consequently, Spain is among the top three countries exporting orange juice and its bio-products.
Spain has deployed modern techniques when it comes to farming. Drip irrigation through local ponds is extensively used. In terms of housing and families, Spanish people live in farmhouses located in villages, with the family system holding immense significance. They abhor divorce, and delay the separation process in anticipation of reconciliation. With a firm belief in traditions, and their conservative values, explicit public romance is tremendously scarce.
The government haspro-business policies. This is also evident through the fact that when we invited the Mayor of Granada to visit Pakistan, he accepted the offer, despite his busy schedule, on the condition that his meetings be arranged with Pakistani businessmen and investors. The Spanish Ambassador to Pakistan was also of the same opinion: Spain is open to investors, tourists, businessmen, technicians and skilled individuals of all kinds.
Owing to the excellent town planning, Barcelona is a properly planned and modern city. If seen from above, it appears to be laid out in square pattern. The city is divided in blocks, and every block has all the basic amenities. Therefore, people do not have to travel from one block to another, just to utilise educational, medicinal, recreational, or occupational facilities. This puts less pressure on traffic, and less fuel is consumed. Spain is well aware of the importance of tourism. Therefore, it has made itself a tourist hub.
Those interested in visiting cultural places that offer Islamic sites can visit Cordoba, Granada, Toledo, Murcia and Malaga, where Quranic verses are engraved on buildings. People fond of the sea can find more than two hundred warm beaches. Alicante has all the facilities essential formarine tourists. Tourists fond of modern life can visit Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona. These cities stand shoulder to shoulder with Paris, London, New York and other modern cities, and also cater to those fond of gambling and clubbing. People who seek thrill and adventure can venture forth into forests, oceans, and mountains. To experience the richness of tradition, one can observe the flamingo dance in the caves of Granada. The annual tomato festival and bull fights attract millions of people.
Spain is a montage of tourism. We share a similar climate, landscape, and traditional values with Spain. When it comes to tourism, we must prefer Spain over the USA, UK, or Germany. After all, we must further strengthen our political and diplomatic relations with Spain, given that the two countries have much to learn from each other.
The writer is a renowned television host, columnist, journalist and tourist. He also supervises and runs the largest tourism group in Pakistan, Ibex.