Tourism industry’s rapid growth potential highlighted

ICCI President says Pakistan's tourism spots are among the best in the world

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari on Tuesday underscored the significant growth potential of the tourism industry in the country. He emphasised that it stands as one of the rapidly expanding sectors worldwide.

He said despite possessing immense tourism potential, Pakistan has yet to establish itself as an international tourism destination. There are several countries that generate billions of dollars annually through tourism with more than 200 million tourists having travelled worldwide last year alone, he added.

He said the upcoming ICCI Tourism Summit, scheduled to be held in Skardu next week, was aimed at attracting global tourism by showcasing the positive image of the country to the world. Bakhtawari mentioned that during the Eidul Azha holidays, millions of tourists visited tourist resorts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the northern regions adding that these areas, despite facing challenges such as insufficient infrastructure and hotel industry regulations, possess a natural beauty that attracts tourists.

He further said Pakistan's tourism resources, particularly of KPK, Kashmir, and the northern regions, were among the best in the world and have the potential to attract tourists from all corners of the world.

To increase the tourism industry's contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), he said it was crucial to attract foreign tourists for which special attention from the government was required. He said the global tourism industry was projected to generate approximately $2 trillion in revenue this year, compared to $1.451 trillion in 2018.

He further said tourism remains one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide. Egypt, for example, derives 50 per cent of its GDP from tourism. Similarly, countries like Turkey, Malaysia, the Maldives, several African countries, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia serve as examples for Pakistan, having made substantial investments in tourism, he added.

He said Arab countries by reducing their reliance on oil have shifted their focus toward tourism and other industries. Notably, Dubai and Saudi Arabia have invested billions of dollars, he added. He was of the view that Pakistan should also consider adopting a similar approach to attract international tourists.

This entails establishing direct flights, simplifying visa processes, and internationally branding the country's tourist destinations he said adding that several international organisations had already recognised Pakistan as one of the best tourism spots globally. Moreover, with its impressive collection of towering peaks, including K-2 and Nanga Parbat, Pakistan has the potential to become a centre for adventure tourism, he added.

Bakhtawari said the primary objective of the ICCI tourism conference was to attract global attention to this breathtaking region while also expressing hope that this summit would serve as a significant milestone in promoting tourism in the northern regions.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2023.