The Handicap Tourism Industry of Pakistan-an Economic Issue

An untapped potential in the tourism industry because of the country's diverse culture, languages, heritage and
traditions which can effectively contribute $9.5 billion to the GDP by 2025
Pakistan has been bestowed with rich scenic beauty comprising of snow-capped and high-rise mountains in
Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Naran and Kaghan valleys.
The lush green Neelam Valley of Azad Kashmir, rocky hills and mountainous ranges of Balochistan, attractive and
accessible beaches of Karachi and Gawadar.
The historical sites and monuments of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro
Religious places like temples, gurdwaras are a treat to the eye for foreign tourists.
Pakistan labelled as the world’s top travel destination for 2018.

Factors affecting the Tourism Industry of Pakistan

1.Extensive deforestation in the scenic northern areas of the country. The trees, which were once a source of
magnificent beauty in the north have been utilized in building hotels and motels, which eventually has
transformed the natural look of the mountains into a synthetic outlook. To combat this natural loss, there is a
need to devise a proper mechanism from which adequate facilities should be made available to the tourists
along with preserving the natural charm of the heavenly mountainous regions.
2.Pollution is another severe threat to the tourism industry of Pakistan. Tourists dispose plastic wrappers,
papers, cups and other edibles packets on the ground or in the river. They tend to neglect the dustbins placed
for proper disposal of the waste, and continue littering the surroundings thereby spoiling the beauty of the
regions. Considering this, there stands a need for the authorities to disseminate civic sense amongst the public
for keeping the places pollution free and to follow a proper waste disposal method.
3.The law and order instability and terrorism are roadblocks for flourishing the tourism industry. The industry
suffered a setback due to the security situation post 9/11 when international tourists’ arrival almost stopped.
4.The strictness in provision of visa requirements to the foreign tourists discourages them to visit the country.
In order to enhance the tourists’ inflow in the country every year, there stands a need to provide for relaxed visa
requirements and to encourage the implementation of multiple entry visas to ensure repeated foreign visits to
the tourist places in Pakistan.
5.The need to improve trip planning and effective tour guides, who can help in disseminating information
about the suitable hotels to the tourists as per their requirements is another critical requirement for boosting
the tourism industry of Pakistan. Tour guides should be seasoned, well-trained and highly capable in facilitating
and guiding the tourists while accompanying them to different sites.
6. Lack of proper infrastructure to attract domestic and international tourists. There are not proper roads,
railway tracks and other transportation services. So tourists find it difficult to visit different places in Pakistan
7.The real problem is in the implementation of cohesive Provincial tourism policies to attract tourists.
8. Religious tourism scope(Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism) recently Kartarpur Corridor did a wonderful job by
current Govt to attract Sikhs
9.Social Media Impact when Imran Khan tweeted pictures from his trip to Kumrat and Palas in Kohistan, a lot of
domestic tourists started visiting those areas.
10. There is no marketing strategy in promoting tourism in Pakistan at international level
11.Unfavorable Political Conditions - People think it an unsafe place after the assassination of popular political
figures like Benazir Bhutto and Salman Taseer (governor of major province Punjab).
12.Inability to Cope with Natural Disasters - Northern areas of Pakistan have been the tourists’ favorite place
but after earthquake of 2005, those areas suffered incomparable loss but nothing had been done for their re-
construction and redevelopment. Poor disaster management caused a loss to the tourism industry.
13-Terrorism - Pakistan has become an unsafe place due to ever-increasing terrorist attacks. That is another
major factor that is not only damaging the repute of Pakistan in the world but also causing its tourism industry
to a decline.
14-Rising Inflation -Inflation is considered another major cause of the failure of tourism industry. The hotel
owners have to increase the price of food because of ever increasing prices of goods. High priced food has made
Pakistan a place that is beyond the reach and affordability of tourists.