Integrated Tourism zones

Pakistan is a country having four seasons, mountains, lakes, deserts and agriculture set up comprising of
60 percent of the workforce involved in t. Internally Pakistan has a tourist flow of about 10 million inside
the country during summer season. This domestic tourist flow is mainly during summer season
from areas that are hot in summer to mountainous areas in the north where temperatures are
cool. The domestic tourist flow also is visibly large in winter also where people from the plains
and hotter areas visit snow bound areas to witness snowfall. The concept of integrated tourism
zones in its present form focuses the nature base areas which are far from population however
provides natural scenery with all its exquisite flora and fauna. It is important to understand that
currently our natural tourist spots in the Hazara and Hazara Kohistan. The forest cover that was
five percent in 1950s has dwindled to around two to three percent. The elimination of forest
cover give way to flash floods that destroys anything that comes in its way like the 2001 floods
in Mansehra or later in Swat in 2009-10.
In 1995-96 the Integrated center for international mountain development Katmandu Nepal
carried out micro case studies in Chitral- Mastuj , Galliyat - Abottabad and fairy meadows- Gilgit
Baltistan in collaboration with TCKP. These studies indicated that we have to diversify our
summer resorts and reduce the number of tourists visiting these areas. The concept was to
carry out extensive consultations with people of these areas to use their extra rooms in their
residences for home stay or hosting guests after receiving basic training in health, hygiene and
tourist guides. It was further highlighted to discourage huge infrastructures and in case if any
infrastructure is created it should be in harmony with local architecture. At the same time more
such resorts have to be identified like we have merged areas now to circulate the number of
tourists to areas in a systematic manner to let the nature revive where tourists flow has been
more and then reduced to a lesser number. It is worth mentioning that nature base tourist sites
eliminate if properly not taken care of, even sometimes these natural sites vanish altogether.
We certainly in Pakistan need more tourists that may be achieved by planning better to domestic
market which may be ultimately used by the foreign tourists also. The overall size of to south Asia as per
world tourism organization will remain 3.1 percent where Pakistan receives the least number even when
compared to Nepal. The solution sounds simple however it needs persistency and dedication in forming
a high level body within the government that holds regular meetings to integrate the functioning of all
the public sector functionaries towards the aim of sustaining nature and increasing the facilities of
roadside rest rooms , traditional huts from mature wood , access roads, health , rescue and security.

We have certainly oldest relics of Bhuddhist and Sikh relics that are visited by a handful of tourists. The
eight departments who have been clubbed for purposes of ITZ may be allowed to do their job and
Tourism may hand in hand with them promote local tourism. The current GDP contribution is 2.7
percent of tourism somewhere around 300 to 380 us dollars. The involvement of local communities is
the answer to most of the existing demand for rooms by involving the community based organizations
ultimately linked to a bank or tourism related organization. The public sector may ensure electricity ,
water, sanitation, building by laws, access roads, land use plans , health, security, rescue and allied
facilities .

The basic premise is given below :

To turnaround the tourism industry to improve Pakistan’s international image and increase its
direct contribution to GDP:

Since (1) Tourism in Pakistan has undoubtedly immense potential given our diverse culture,
heritage and natural endowment. However, for now it is a missed opportunity owing to multiple
reasons including the war-on-terror, minimal marketing, poor public and private sector
infrastructure and services. (2) Build framework for private sector investment to develop new
and upgrade existing facilities. Initiate conversion of all government guest houses into hotels
open to the public. Identify 4 new tourism destinations within the first 100 days for development.

In order to achieve the above we would be boosting tourism through the following prime terms
of reference (ToRs) for a task force which is elucidated at the end of this documents:

Hide quoted text

i. Promote and position Pakistan as “Asia’s Best Kept Secret” in the global tourism market.

ii. Champion tourism in places including and beyond the northern areas of Pakistan – especially
along the Indus and the historic Sufi sites of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

iii. Develop 20 new tourist destinations in 5 years; 4 each year.

iv. Implement a framework to incentivise private sector investments in upgradation and

development of new facilities which in particular would encourage “themed” tourism such as
eco-tourism and other special incentives.

v. Open all government guest houses to the public.

vi. Undertake the uplift of our accommodation infrastructure and transport services across all,
from hostels to 5 star facilities.
vii. Aggressively encourage entrepreneurship, especially by SMEs, to boost economic value and
job creation in the tourism industry.

viii. Improve processes to issue tourist visas, in particular for groups and champion initiatives,
which strengthen our visa on arrival programme.

ix. Eliminate NOC condition for high potential tourist destinations (as has already happened in
Malakand).

x. Support TVET curriculum and institute development to upskill human capital in hospitality to
fill the supply side deficit of skilled labour.

Additionally the task force shall ensure the monitoring of the following roles of the Provincial,
local and federal governments viz-a-viz private sector:

A. The Role of Public Sector.

In one word “Facilitation” or it should act as a facilitator and not as a inhibitor. 

I. Direct role of the Government : 

(a). To provide basics such as :

- Roads

- Electricity

- Security & Sense of it

(b). Government Departments responses in terms of prompt action viz-a-viz private investors and
stakeholders in tourism e.g :
- Utilities (WAPDA,Gas etc) : To provide utilities & repair breakdowns. 

- Health : Health cover & emergency response.

- Police Emergency : Security with a tourists friendly approach. 

- Telecommunication : Contact with rest of the world.

- Local Govt : Road clearances, fire fighting etc.

( c ) Opening up new touristic areas where initial private investors are shy e.g opening up of
Gabeen valley / Sulaton Valley, Kumrat valley, Supat Lake/Meadows and creation of rest areas
with installation of sign boards etc.

(d) Generate extra activities to bring tourists in collaboration with private sector:

- Establishment of Chairlifts at all feasible touristic sites especially those having skiing
potential. 

- Water Sports facilities at Naran-Kaghan, Kalam-Mahudhand and at all other feasible sites.

- Tentage Village with all allied facilities especially to beat the summer heat and make available
appropriate accommodation facilities to interested for all segment of society. 

- Setting up of base-camps for mountaineering & trekking in close proximity to mountains where
tourists can learn and practice mountaineering & rock climbing etc.

(e) Opening Up Government facilities to Tourists

- The rest houses of various Government Departments, to be opened for tourists by leasing out to
private sector through TCKP with a share/priority consideration of the officials of the owner
departments.
B. Subtle / Indirect role of Govt:

- The Government should provide a positive tax regime for tourism sector.

- It should undertake positive intervention on the analogy of Ministry of Petroleum as they have
made it mandatory at all the Petrol Pump would host toilet-tuck shops etc.

- Improving perceptions by the Ministry of Tourism through Worldwide Media that all is not that
bad and thereby create a niche for Pakistan Tourism.

- Coordinating the efforts of various stakeholders through regular holding of conferences,

seminars, workshops etc. 

- Capacity building arrangements for the officials in the public sector and representatives of
private sector in all tourism related activities.

- Provision of Information through radio, television, print news and in case possible a tourism
radio, tv, internet, web based channel.

Identified sites:

POTENTIAL TOURISM SITES OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Places of interest

Valleys

Chitral Valley

Kaghan Valley

Kalam Valley

Kumrat Valley

Swat Valley

Lakes

Ansoo Lake

Daral Lake

Dudipatsar
Kundol Lake

Mahodand Lake

Jabba Zomalu Lake

Katora Lake

Lake Saiful Muluk

Lulusar

Pyala Lake

National Parks

Broghil Valley National Park

Chitral National Park

Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park

Saiful Muluk National Park

Sheikh Buddin National Park

Historic Places

Bala Hissar Fort

Chitral Fort

Mahabat Khan Mosque

Kafir Kot

Khyber Pass

Takht-i-Bahi

Hiking and Walking Trails in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Dudi Patsar Lake Track

Kiwai to Shogran Hiking Track

Ratti Gali Lake Track

Ansu Lake Track

Dunga Gali Pipeline Track

Ayubia Track

Mushkpuri Track

Miranjani Track

HARIPUR DISTRICT

Dingi

Khalabat

Tarbela Dam

Khanpur Dam

Mang

Sarkari Bagh

Sarai Saleh, and

Manik Rai

Jholian

Hari Singh Fort

Darvesh

Maqsooda on Ghora Gali Road

ABBOTTABAD DISTRICT

Sherwan

Nawan Shehr

Dhamtour
Ilyasi Mosque

GULIYAT

Kalabagh

Khaira Gali

Khanspur/Ayubia

Nathia Gali

Thandiani

Changla Gali,

Bara Gali,

Dunga Gali

MANSEHRA DISTRICT

Ashoka Park

Baffa

Shinkiari

Jabori (Dadar valley)

Sultan Gali (Dadar Valley)

Chattar plain

Ichar Canal Head

Mandher

Batrasi

Atar Shisha

Qalandar Abad

Ghazi Kot Township

Gandhian

Zar Dheri

Guli Bagh

Icchrian

Battal

Garhi Habib Ullah

Hassa

KAGHAN VALLEY

Balakot

Kiwai

Shogran

Malkandi

Siri and Paya

Manur

Sheran

Khanian

Kaghan

Naran

Lake Saiful Muluk

Lulupat Lake

Dudupat Lake

Lalazar

Batakundi
Basel

Babusar Top

BATAGRAM DISTRICT

Batagram Town

Thakot Bridge

Hill Spot on way to Alaii

KOHISTAN DISTRICT

Dassu

Pattan

Jalkot Valley

Harban Valley

MALAKAND AGENCY

Jabban

Malakand Pass

Palai

Moora Hill

Seelai Patai

Left bank of River Swat

BUNER DISTRICT

The Shrine of Pir Baba

Mahaban Valley

Elum/Dosarri

Karakar Top
SWAT

Udegram Ruins

Shankar Dara

Ghalegai Cave

Budha On Rock

Gogdara

Landaki Fishing Point

Mingora

Saidu Sharif

Gulkada

Swat Museum

Marghozar

Fizagat

Miandam

Malam Jaba

Manglor

Madyan and Yakh Kandao

Bahrain

Kalam

Usho

Matiltan

Mahudand Lake

Athrore
Kandolo Dand

Gabral

Khawazakhela

Kabal

SHANGLA DISTRICT

Shangla Top

Besham

LOWER & UPPER DIR DISTRICTS

Churchill Picket

Chakpat or Chatpat

Chakdara Museum

Ouch

Laram Sar

Barcharai Top

Sheringal Valley

Nehag Dara

Osherai Dara

Karo Dara

Toremang Dara

Barawal Valley

Benshahi

Timargarah

Dir/Panakot
Lowari Top

CHITRAL

Ziarat

Mirkhani Fort

Naghar Fort

Arandu

Drosh

Ayun

Valleys of Kalash: Birir, Bamburat & Rumbur

Garam Chashma

Gobar Bakh Darra

Koghoozi

Trichmir Top

Buni

Snoghar

Mastuj

Pari Mari

Shandoor Top

Mooza Takht Khatan at Reshun

Brep

Madak Lasht

Chitral Gol

Birmugh Lasht
Goleen Gol Valley

Tirich Valley

Shahjinali

PESHAWAR

Shah-ji-ki-Dheri:

Mahabat Khan Mosque:

Gor Khatri:

Peshawar Museum:

Jamrud Fort:

Sphola Stupa:

Khyber Pass:

Warsak Dam:

Bala Hisar Fort:

Hayatabad Parks:

Qayum Sports Complex:

Mosque Qasim Khan:

Army Stadium:

Ghanta Gar:

Chowkyadgar:

Peshawar University:

University Museum:

Qissa Khwani Bazar:

Yadgar Shahidan:
Railway Station Cantonment:

Sardaryab:

MARDAN

Takht-i-Bhai:

Shahbaz Garhi and the Ashokan Inscriptions:

Mekha-Sanda stupa and Monastery:

Stupa of Chanak-Dheri:

Sahri Stupa:

Jamal Garhi:

Kashmir Smats

Museum

Sheikh Maltoon Township Park:

KOHAT

Kohat.

Tanda Dam:

Khushal Garh:

Banda Daud Shah:

D. I. Khan:

Bilot Head Works:

Amusement park:

Narrow Guage Railway Safari: Rehman Dheri & Kafir Kot Forts

MERGED DISTRICTS

Bajaur Agency (at Khar Bajaur)

Barang

Charmang

Khar bajaur

Mamund

Nawagai

Salarzai

Utmankhel(qzafi)

KHYBER AGENCY (AT PESHAWAR)

Bara

Jamrud

Landi kotal

Mula ghori

KURRAM AGENCY (AT PARACHINAR)

Kurram F.R.

Lower Kurram

Upper Kurram

MOHMAND AGENCY (AT GHALLANAY)

Halimzai

Pindiali

Pringhar

Safi

Upper mohmand

Utman khel(ambar)
Yake ghund

NORTH WAZIRISTAN AGENCY (AT MIRAN SHAH)

Datta Khel

Dossali

Garyum

Ghulam Khan

Mir Ali

Miran Shah

Razmak

Shewa

Spinwam

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN AGENCY (AT WANA)

Birmal

Ladha

Makin(Charlai)

Sararogha

Sarwekai

Tiarza

Toi Khullah

Wana

ORAKZAI AGENCY (AT KALAYA)

Central Orakzai

Ismailzai
Lower Orakzai

Upper Orakzai

CONCEPTUAL FRAME WORK:

 The Integrated rural development programme in Daudzai and subsequently in the Aga khan
rural support Programme indicates that rural communities have to be organized into village
level organization.
 These village organizations may be formed around an activity to generate income and provide
trainings.
 To intervene in the tourism sector we have to mobilize the communities in the touristic scenic
regions of the province .
 These village level organizations have to nominate two to three individuals who have to be
trained in Tourist guide and basic hospitality .
 Terms of partnership have to developed for allotting camping pods from two to three to an
organization comprising of a hamlet.
 The income generated from these pods have to be equitably distributed among the active
members of the village organizations who directly deals the tourist as host and guides.
 A portion of the revenue generated has to be reinvested for the up keep of these tourist
facilities, creation of artefacts’ and other outlets facilitating the visiting tourists.
 To avoid duplication the Hunza paying guest and home stay model of Aga Khan Rural Support
programme has to be emulated keeping in view the cultural intricacies of each region.
 In the given circumstances the Sarhad Rural support Programme and Aga Khan rural support
programme may be engaged to mobilize the touristic regions mutually identified by the Tourism
department.
 The Deputy Commissioners may be the focal persons for both the rural support programs and
Department of Tourism at the district level , while Assistant Commissioners at Tehsil level and
similarly Tehsildar level for mozas.
 The rural support programmes would explain the package in the first dialogue the terms of
partnership followed by nomination of persons by the communities .
 Subsequently in the second dialogue the terms for further cooperation for promoting as an
income generating activity would be mutually agreed.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
 The second dialogue would spell out the responsibilities of the communities at large and the
basic hygiene and maintenance of the donate pods estimate roughly at PKR three million for a
give village or hamlet at time.
 The initial programme may be started in Naran, Galyat and mastuj region with grant of 1000
Camping pods for around four hundred settlements.
 This process would basically based on learning by doing or participatory method that may be
dove tailed from region to region . The first two years by evaluated by a third party to take to
further region of the province.
 The operational costs be 20 percent of the total investment costs in which ten percent may be
shared as cost component of social mobilization and 10 percent as logistics and movement
cost of Official government machinery.
  Initially an amount of Rupees Five Billion may be ear marked for the purpose including 1000
camping pods cost.
 The tentative financial implications are estimated at Rs.3 million multiply by 1000 camping
pods is equal to Rs.3 billion,
 wherein Rs. 1 billion shall include operation and maintenance and training costs beside
monitoring.

EXCEPTED OUTPUT:
 The far-flung areas would become tourists hubs.
 Formers would sell their organic produce to these tourist.
 The concept is environment friendly.
 Tourism will be propagated as income generating activity at grass root level.
 Employment generation through multiplier effect for women, men and youth.
 The cultural artefacts and traditional wisdom will travel as stories in the form of word of mouth
throughout the hospitality industry.
The proposed time frame is of 24 months.

HIRING OF CONSULTANT
Feasibility study and pilot phase for provision of rooms each amounting to Rs. 1 million boosting rural
tourism through arrangement of loans from BOK in different touristic sites of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that
can be managed by local communities in the far-flung areas, this concept is to involve the local host
communities in tourism related entrepreneurs where tourists may stay, have local cuisine, procure
traditional artefacts and observe the local customs and traditions.

As an example of such activity was tested by Agha Khan Rural Supports Program in Hunza, Gilgit-
Baltistan. The goals of the feasibility are to have detail analysis and demonstrative effect of the
execution of the concept keeping in view architectural, environmental, engineering and economic
physical and financial planning as well as phasing for the following purposes:
a. Social acceptability.
b. Environmental desirability
c. Technical feasibility
d. Position of land and to look into the requirement of land for installation of pods to be
consented from community as their contribution under a terms of reference..
e. supply of food and installation of the septic tank with collection of waste and provision of
water while electricity may be solar or from a locally installed generating unit.
f. Promote and develop the tourism industry of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by involving the grass root
level organizations ,private and public sectors;
g. Fully protect and preserve the culture, traditions, history, heritage, environment, and wild life of
the target areas;
h. develop the socio-economic conditions of the people and areas having tourism potential;
i. gradually and systematically identify and develop all the existing and potential areas for
attracting tourists both from in and outside the country;
j. Introduce, promote, develop and publicize the tourism potential of the area and of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa in and outside the country; and
Establishing rooms is expected to retrun the loan of Rs.1 million alongwith Service Charges in a year or
two. The man power requirement is not fixed since it may be a philanthropic organization, a firm or
any other concern well versed with working with communities in remote areas through participatory
methodology .The staff deputed should be financially and managerially adequate by any minimum
yard stick for similar nature of assignment elsewhere in the south Asian region particularly Nepal
where such initiatives have been executed by the international centre for integrated mountain
development or Hunza where similar initiatives were undertaken by Aga rural support program.