Tourism Aspects in Pakistan

Tourism is a flourishing industry in Pakistan which contributes to many sectors as food industry, transportation (air, road and marine), tour agencies, culture and events, recreational activities and trade. Countries like Switzerland, Singapore, Turkey, Philippines, Maldives and Thailand strive on sustainable tourism as an important factor in boosting economy.

Pakistan invested huge sum in the tourism industry and succeeded in clinching the top sightseeing destination in the world. Popular publications Forbes and Condé Nast Traveller have lauded Pakistan’s top destinations for 2020. They applauded the alluring natural beauty and hospitality.

Pakistan introduces on-arrival visa policy for the tourists. Now they apply to ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for getting a visa. ETA is the faster procedure for tourist visa.

Pakistan is blessed with ancient civilizations, ritual sites, monuments, snowy peaks, mesmerising lakes, meadows and lush green forests.

There are four types of tourism.

Archaeological Tourism

1. Ecotourism
2. Adventure Tourism
3. Ritual Tourism

Tourism is a fastly growing industry in Pakistan but there are still many factors impeding the growth. Pakistan ticks all the boxes needed to produce a sustaining tourism industry, still tourism is not fully prioritised, despite the fact that it benefits extensively. Our country needs to overcome so many challenges before getting full advantage and benefits from tourism industry.

One of the most defying issues of tourism industry is a lack of primary infrastructure such as airports, roads, railway tracks, lodging in hotels and registered tour agencies. These are key factors for tourism industry infrastructure, which is underdeveloped as a result of poor strategy.

Pakistan has so many Buddhist, Sikh and Christian ritual sites for promoting religious tourism.

Buddhist Sites

Dharmarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC-200 AD)
Bhir Mound (600-200 BC)
Sirkap (200 BC-600 AD)
Jandial Temple (c.250 BC)
Julian Monastery (200 – 600 AD)

Top most sites of Sikhism are in Pakistan, except Golden Temple, India.

Tomb of Baba Guru Nanak, Nankana Sahib
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Narowal
Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal
Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Eminabad, Gujranwala

Renowned Churches

St. Andrew Church and Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Karachi,
St. Mary Cathedral and Bishop House, Multan

Despite its diversity and allure, Pakistan has not been fully explored or developed sustainable tourism. To overcome this obstacle, government should give incentives to private sector for assisting in tourism development. There is no policy to encourage private sector to invest in the tourism industry. Although private sector contributes efficiently in the tourism industry yet it cannot steer bigger projects.

I try to highlight some significant points about tourism industry of Pakistan. This industry can generate huge sum of revenue and compete the strong contender in the world if policy makers work on striving to achieve the goals.

Adventure Planners extends an helping hand from private sector. Our aim is to promote tourism industry of Pakistan across the world. We try to portray the softer image of our beloved country.