Coastal beauty stays untapped

Experts highlight coral reefs, dolphins, mangroves as future eco-tourism hot spots

KARACHI:

World Tourism Day is being observed today, highlighting the importance of tourism in driving global economic growth and cultural exchange. With its diverse natural and cultural assets, Pakistan has enormous untapped potential in the tourism sector - from pristine beaches and scenic islands to deserts, mountains, wetlands, and centuries-old archaeological sites.

According to experts, the country's 1,000-kilometer-long coastline stretching from Karachi to Balochistan offers some of the most promising sites for local and international tourism. Coastal areas provide opportunities for dolphin and turtle watching, while Churna Island, Astola Island, Ormara, and Gwadar boast coral reefs that attract divers and marine life enthusiasts.

Technical Advisor to WWF-Pakistan, Muhammad Moazzam Khan, said that beaches such as Manora, Hawkes Bay, Cape Monze, Sonmiani, Kund Malir, Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Ganz, Daran, and Jiwani could become major attractions for tourists if properly developed and marketed. He added that although Pakistan currently has no "Blue Flag" certified beaches — an international eco-label — efforts could be made to achieve this recognition.

WWF-Pakistan and community organizations have already introduced eco-tourism initiatives in areas like Rehri Goth, Keti Bunder, Kharo Chan, and Miani Hor. These include dolphin and turtle watching, mangrove tours, birdwatching, recreational fishing, sand dune safaris, and community-led hospitality experiences. These initiatives not only raise environmental awareness but also provide sustainable income alternatives to impoverished fishing communities.

Muhammad Anwar, Executive Director of Community Action for Rural Development (CARD), noted that despite security challenges, thousands of tourists continue to visit Miani Hor each year for dolphin watching, picnics, and birdwatching. He emphasized that eco-tourism in coastal areas could generate foreign exchange while supporting conservation.

Marine experts say Pakistan's waters are rich in tuna, marlin, and king mackerel, making them ideal for sport fishing and game tourism. In destinations like the Caribbean or Pacific islands, tourists travel for days to reach similar fishing grounds — but in Pakistan, these can be accessed within hours from Gwadar, Ormara, or Pasni.

This year's World Tourism Day theme, "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation", resonates strongly with Pakistan's coastal prospects. Experts argue that responsible tourism development could both conserve biodiversity and provide much-needed livelihoods for coastal populations.