Tourism has the potential to boost Pakistan’s economy. Pakistan is a country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse natural beauty, from the towering Himalayan mountains to the golden beaches of its southern coast. Pakistan is home to some of the world’s highest mountains, including K2 (the second-highest peak in the world), Nanga Parbat, and Gasherbrum. These mountains attract mountaineers and hikers from all over the world. It has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea, with some beautiful beaches such as Clifton Beach in Karachi, Astola Island in Balochistan, and French Beach in Karachi. Pakistan has a rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical and cultural sites such as the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro, Taxila, and the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. It has a diverse range of wildlife, including rare species such as the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, and the markhor (a species of wild goat).
Pakistan is becoming popular for adventure sports such as paragliding, white water rafting, and skiing in the northern areas. Pakistan has a rich culinary tradition, with dishes such as biryani, kebabs, and curries that are popular with tourists.These attractions provide a wide range of tourism options for visitors to Pakistan, and if promoted and developed effectively, can help boost the country’s tourism industry and economy.
Visitors swarm to Pakistan, among the world’s most popular tourist destinations, to view its historical and cultural landmarks. And over two million foreign tourists visited Pakistan in 2017, mostly in the Northern regions. The numerous sub-sectors that make up Pakistan’s tourism business include eco-tourism, adventure, historical tourism, gastronomy, spiritual and religious tourism. If we contrast we shall discover that comparing Pakistan to other well-known tourist destinations like Turkey, Italy, and Malaysia is a bit of an exaggeration. The tourist flow to Pakistan has significantly increased during the past several years. Tourist permits are now easier to get in Pakistan.
Moreover, Pakistani government announced that travellers from 30 countries will be permitted entry without the need for a visa. Tourists from all over the globe are aware of Pakistan’s gorgeous mountains, lovely valleys, lakes, stunning mosques, other sacred locations, traditional foods, dining establishments, and kind friendliness. Moreover, paragliding, camel and automobile safaris in the desert, hunting, rock climbing, and fishing are all popular activities for tourists from across the world. To improve the perception of Pakistan as a tourism destination, Pakistan launched projects like “Amazing Pakistan” and “Emerging Pakistan” Pakistan is presently rated 124th in the World Economic Forum’s Tourism and Competitive Ranking. There is no doubt that to enhance this, more attention must be paid to the tourist sector in Pakistan. Pakistan is a nation with breathtaking beauty, including remnants of old civilizations and architecture of the Mughal era, snow-covered hills quiet valleys, frozen lakes, and attractive beaches. Moreover, there are Sikh and Hindu pilgrimage sites.
A nation’s economy depends extensively on tourist industry to grow. Numerous visitors go to ancient Sikh and Hindu temples, particularly the Guru Nanak shrine. The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor brought a surge of pilgrims to Pakistan. In order to promote tourism, Pakistan should fully utilise the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). With the CPEC initiative, several infrastructural and electrical projects are being created in Pakistan, which will be advantageous to the visitors. Furthermore, Chinese people frequently travel, which makes it simple for them to visit Pakistan. Pakistan possesses all the necessary components for a self-sustaining tourism industry, including a growing labour force and a renowned culture of hospitality.
Despite the potential for significant economic growth, neither the federal nor provincial governments of Pakistan ever prioritised tourism industry. It is tragic for Pakistan that a number of obstacles as well as issues have prevented it from becoming the best or most well-liked tourism location on the globe. This study did not set out to critique or bemoan Pakistan Tourism’s prior errors. To maximise its potential, it must go through a number of present and future challenges. The vast majority of studies on tourism-related firms in underdeveloped countries concentrate on the possibilities and advantageous aspects of the industry. Further, there was a dearth of information offered on the challenges the tourism industry faces and possible remedies.
There will be several positive impacts of tourism on economy, iftourism industry in Pakistan is properly developed and managed, it can help to create jobs, generate foreign exchange earnings, and stimulate economic growth.
One of the most significant impacts of tourism on economic growth is job creation. In Pakistan, the tourism industry has the potential to create employment opportunities in various sectors such as hospitality, transport, and handicrafts. With a large number of young people entering the job market every year, the tourism industry can provide much-needed employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Tourism can also contribute to foreign exchange earnings in Pakistan. The inflow of foreign exchange through tourism can help to stabilize the country’s balance of payments and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign aid.
Tourism can also stimulate business activity in the country. As more tourists visit Pakistan, there is an increase in demand for goods and services, leading to the growth of various industries such as transport, accommodation, and food services.The development of tourism in Pakistan can also lead to infrastructure development in the country. The government and private sector can investbuilding and upgrading infrastructure such as roads, airports, and public facilities to support tourism activities. Tourism can also promote cultural exchange, allowing visitors to experience the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan. This can foster a better understanding and appreciation of the country’s culture and traditions, leading to increased cultural exchange and dialogue.
If Pakistan can continue to make progress in promoting its tourism industry, it has the potential to provide a significant boost to the country’s economy. Tourism can create jobs and stimulate economic growth, particularly in rural areas where other economic opportunities may be limited. It can also help to increase foreign exchange earnings and promote cultural exchange. However, there are challenges that Pakistan must address in order to fully realize the potential of its tourism industry, such as improving security and infrastructure, ensuring environmental sustainability, and addressing issues related to social and cultural norms. If these challenges can be addressed, however, tourism could become an important driver of economic growth and development in Pakistan.
