Countrys Tourism industry in death throes

Disaster after disaster in Pakistan – ecotourism and UNWTO to the rescue for now

Says Ecotourism Pakistan “First, it was the great tragedy of 9/11 that dented the tourism industry, and then in 2005, a horrific earthquake collapsed the total tourism infrastructure and this was followed by the Taliban capturing the beautiful Swat Valley.”

And that wasn’t all.

“These disasters were followed by year 2010 bringing the floods that wreaked havoc with the entire tourism sector. Now, there is no tourism ministry left in Pakistan, and no tourism ministry means no tourism department and no tourism minister.”

“Such a situation has sent a very negative image of Pakistan around the world because when other countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal went through law and order situation, these countries increased publicity and promotion budget of tourism industry and recovered from downward trends.”

“Federal Ministry of Tourism was abolished under the constitutional requirement that ensures transfer of the tourism ministry to the provinces. This decision should have been followed by a National Board to look after publicity and promotion of Pakistan aboard and registration with international tourism organizations.”

“However, it has not been done and responsibilities of former Tourism Ministry (MoT) have been distributed among many different federal ministries without any focal authority to look into the affairs.”
Now Ecotourism Pakistan has petitioned the UNWTO to help save the country’s tourism industry.

And, apparently, UNWTO has come to the rescue.

The UNWTO Secretary General’s office has forwarded the appeal to Pakistan and it is now understood that as a result, the government of Pakistan has halted the process of disbanding the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) for the time being.

However it is clear that Pakistan tourism, once a kingpin of the adventure travel business, is in dire straits.

"Not to have a representation for a destination doesn't support the tourism industry and for those people who try to create better places for people to live through tourism. We are glad to see that Ecotourism Pakistan is campaigning to bring back the focus on tourism. Travelling is a certain of way understanding people and destinations and any effort to promote sustainable tourism as is done by ecotourism Pakistan should be supported by global tourism organisations especially from neighbouring countries in the region." Said Gopinath Parayil founder and CEO of Indian operator The Blue Yonder and global co-ordinator of the VISTA Sustainable Tourism Awards..

Valere Tjolle: Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Special Offers HERE