Tourism suffers in the grip of smog

500 Sikh pilgrims cancelled their trip to Kartarpur due to restrictions imposed during the smog crisis

LAHORE:

In the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the imposition of several lockdowns deeply impacted the tourism sector. While the sector was still recovering from the blow of the pandemic, the recent smog crisis has yet again brought it down to its knees.

The Punjab government had recently closed entertainment centres and parks due to the worsening smog situation in various districts of Punjab, including Lahore, from November 16 to 24. As a result, the organizers and contractors of various recreational and commercial services had to bear huge financial losses.

According to the Walled City of Lahore Authority, more than 100,000 local and foreign tourists come every month to see the Shahi Fort and the Badshahi Mosque. Likewise, the number of monthly visitors at the Lahore Zoo is between 150,000 to 200,000 while more than 25,000 domestic and foreign tourists visit the Lahore Museum every month.

Rehan Khan, who runs a cafeteria in a large entertainment centre in Lahore, revealed that the closure of the centre due to smog, had affected the livelihood of 15 of his employees working on daily wages. “This time entertainment centres were closed for a week. If this happens again, we will suffer immense financial losses,” said Khan.

Similarly, Imtiaz Ahmad Malik, a tour operator from Lahore revealed that as a result of the smog crisis, not only local but also international tourists were avoiding coming to the cultural capital. “When tourists hear the news of bans being imposed in Lahore, which is topping the list of the most polluted cities in the world, they avoid coming here,” noted Malik.

Malik’s observation was confirmed by the fact that the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi had issued visas to more than 3,000 Indian pilgrims to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Sikh religious leader Baba Guru Nanak however, only 2,500 pilgrims came to Pakistan.

Jaswinder Singh, a Sikh pilgrim from Amritsar, India, told The Express Tribune that some of his friends had been issued visas however, because of the smog situation and the commercial restrictions, they had foregone their plans to visit Pakistan.

 “The winter smog, also known as photochemical smog, is affecting every sector. When restrictions are imposed on commercial activity, the tourism sector will definitely suffer however, human lives are more important than tourism. While we need to take permanent and sustainable measures to remedy the smog, we also have to learn to live with these atmospheric changes,” said Dr Sadia Khalid, Founder of Climate Education Warriors.

Officials from the Tourism, Archaeology and Museums Department affirmed that the closure of entertainment and tourism spots due to the smog situation had a negative impact on the tourism sector. “Entertainment places were closed only for a few days this time thus it may not have a significant impact, but if such restrictions are imposed again in the future, the businesses of many stakeholders in the tourism sector will be affected, including tour operators, the hotel industry and transport providers,” said the officials.