Tourism in Pakistan

Dated: 01-04-2021 FCCI Research & Development Center

Tourism & Traveling in Pakistan Prepared By Muhammad Faizan M.sc (Hons) ERE

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Introduction of Pakistan:- Located in the northwest part of the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan came into existence in 1947 with a population of approximately 225.1 million. It has an area of 307,304 square miles (796,095 square kilometers). Pakistan’s border length with India is 3,320 km, with Afghanistan is 2,670 km, with China is 559 km, and with Iran is 959 km. Pakistan's coastline is about 990 km long, bifurcated in two parts, the Sindh Coast (270 km) and the Makran Coast (720 km). The national language of the country is Urdu. Pakistani food is one of the most famous identities of the country, if the food and the dishes aren’t mentioned then the whole discussion on tourism is just half the story. Some of the famous Pakistani foods include:

• Biryani • Haleem • Paya • Nihari

The location of Pakistan as viewed in the above map.

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Here is a list of some of the most renowned and luxurious hotels in the country: • Movenpick Hotel • Hotel One • Serena Hotel Islamabad • Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel Bhurban • Zaver PC hotel • PC hotel Lahore • PC hotel Peshawar • Shangrila Hotels & Resorts • PTDC Motel Ayubia Tourism: - Is an activity in which people travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for the purposes of leisure, business, visiting etc. for not more than one consecutive year. Introduction: - The Geography of Pakistan is a profound blend of landscapes varying from plains to deserts, forests, and plateaus ranging from the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea in the south to the mountains of the Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalayas in the north. Geologically speaking, Pakistan overlaps both with the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates, where its Sindh and Punjab provinces lie on the north- western corner of the Indian plate; while Baluchistan and most of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lie within the Eurasian plate that mainly comprises the Iranian Plateau. Gilgit – Baltistan and Azad Kashmir lie along the edge of the Indian plate and are prone to violent earthquakes where the two tectonic plates collide. Pakistan is bordered with India to the east, Afghanistan to the northwest, Iran to the west, while China borders the country in the northeast. The nation is geopolitically placed within some of the most controversial regional boundaries which share disputes and have many-a-times escalated military tensions between the nations. One example is that of Kashmir with India, and the other is that of the Durand Line with Afghanistan. Its western borders include the Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass that have served as traditional migration routes between Central Eurasia and South Asia.

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At 881,913 square kilometers (340,509 sq. mi), Pakistan is the 33rd largest country by area, little more than twice the size of the US State of California, and slightly larger than the Canadian province of Alberta. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) data showed that international tourists have more than tripled since 2013 to 1.75 million in 2016, while domestic travelers have jumped 30 percent to 38.3m. Estimated tourism's contribution to the economy at Rs2.03 trillion ($19.4 billion) ─ 6.9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016.

Source: WTTC report

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Source: WTTC report In 2020, contribution of travel and tourism to GDP (% of GDP) for Pakistan was 7.1 %. Though Pakistan contribution of travel and tourism to GDP (% of GDP) fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through the period 2001 – 2020, ending at 7.1 % in 2020. Discussion: -

Some important places of Pakistan are discussed here where tourists prefer to stay, and some of them are regarded as out of the ordinary.

Tourism is vital to its interests, and its role as a business activity brings demand and growth to many industries. Tourism not only promotes more economic activities, but also creates more employment and income opportunities, and plays an important role in the development of the nation.

Traveling is great whether it’s for business or personal reasons. If you have never encountered a travel problem or are worried about planning a trip to a country that you have never experienced before, check out our tips and tricks from

Dated: 01-04-2021 a professional tour guide. When it comes to this, tourism is not only very good for individual travelers, but also very useful for the local economy. Basically, this is just a good source of income, because your money won’t win if visitors are not there.

Tourism also allows different ways to inject wealth into society. The biggest benefit of this industry is that it requires a lot of labor, and many of these companies are just small companies and micro carriers. This means that every dollar entering the industry is quickly felt by business owners and employees and is directly related to the increase in domestic spending. There are many benefits to a community that has the potential to become a tourist destination. This is also an ideal choice for individual travelers because the tourism industry is booming. There is a lot to do and many places to stay and visit, and so this attracts more and more tourists.

One of the basic advantages that can be identified is employment from tourism. This includes jobs that directly affect, such as tour guides, hotel staff, bus services, and restaurants. The benefit of all these companies is that not only do they pay their employees, they also buy goods and products locally, which has greatly promoted the development of the local industry and market. The good thing about tourism industry is that the supporting industries such as retail and food production also benefit from it, although, it is not clear to those with less experience, as this happens mostly behind the scenes.

Importance:

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Sightseeing Tours:

Sightseeing can be done in various ways, and although the most popular tends to be the one by a tour bus or a coach; some companies also offer sightseeing walking tours.

Shore Excursion Tours:

Shore excursions are offered as part of a cruise ship itinerary which can include river cruise ships, charter yachts, and other boats. Traveling by sea will lead tourists to various ports along the coastline of countries, which are interesting to explore.

Adventure or Sporting Tours:

Adventure tours are extremely popular and provide people with an exciting way of traveling. Adventure and sports fanatics can enjoy tours catered to their individual skills and are led by a tour guide highly experienced in that particular sport/activity.

Some Attractive Tourist Spots in Pakistan: -

1. Swat Valley:

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Though it has had a rough past, the present and future of Swat Valley are shining very bright. This stunning valley in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan is something straight out of a fairy tale.

Think bright green fields and forests, picturesque villages, and rivers boasting shades of blue so clear and bright you wouldn’t have thought them real!

Here are 3 places you cannot miss in Swat Valley: 2. Boyun Village

i) Ushu Forest

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3. Hunza Valley:

If you live in Pakistan – or have read anything about the country – it’s almost certain you’ve come across the name Hunza. Don’t let the word ‘valley’ confuse

Dated: 01-04-2021 you, though – Hunza is actually a massive district made up of numerous valleys and villages. 4. Yarkhun Valley:

Though it’s relatively unheard of and forgotten compared to Pakistan’s most famous tourist spots, Yarkhun Valley is thought to be one of the most beautiful places to visit in the country. Located in the Upper Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Yarkhun dazzles with its mountain ranges and untouched villages. Reaching the valley – which stretches for many kilometers past the administrative town of Mastuj – requires a bit of effort if you don’t have your own vehicle. If you do have one though, the ride isn’t too bad – just prepare for mostly dirt roads! The side valley of Gazin is most definitely worth a detour if you make it all the way to Yarkhun. Here, you can see the mountains of the Thoi Pass, a high-altitude pass that connects Upper Chitral with Yasin Valley in Gilgit Baltistan.

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5. Phander Lake:

Phander Lake – located in Phander Village – is unique in its own respect. The teal-colored lake sits silently amongst light-green trees befitting a landscape painting. Despite being wondering scenes, Phander Lake doesn’t see anywhere as close to the number of tourists as the more popular Attabad Lake does. 6. Broghil Valley:

Located way up north – very close to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor – Broghil Valley was formerly only accessible via trek or horseback. These days, the once- hidden locale can be reached by a treacherous jeep track, yet it still only receives a handful of visitors during the few months when it’s not frozen under heaps of

Dated: 01-04-2021 snow. Currently, whether or not foreigners are allowed to visit Broghil is in question. (If you’re insistent, make sure you check with the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Chitral before making the trek up there). But if it’s possible, then passionate tourists must keep this valley on their list. The valley is home to numerous high-altitude lakes, yaks, and sprawling green pastures, all set against a dramatic mountainous backdrop that soars above 13,000 feet.

7. Hingol National Park:

Hingol National Park is technically in Pakistan, but it looks more like a Martian planet! The park is over 6,000-square-kilometres and contains incredibly unique rock formations, vast canyons, numerous animal species, and even a mud volcano. What’s more, part of the National Park hugs the coast, adding the ocean to all its other assets. Though totally out-of-this-world in its looks, Hingol is only three and a half hours from Karachi, Pakistan’s most populous city.

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8. Deosai Plains National Park:

Deosai is often referred to as the roof of the world, and it is roughly around 4,117 meters (13,497 feet). The massive plateau is the second-highest on the planet, and is only really accessible during summer. Sprawling emerald-green meadows, snow-capped peaks and glistening blue lakes greet visitors who make the journey to this beautiful spot. The Himalayan Brown Bear calls Deosai its home and has been spotted by many visitors – watch out for them if you’re camping! 9. Shimshal Valley:

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Though a bit out of the way compared to some of the other beautiful tourist places in Pakistan featured on this list, Shimshal Valley is well worth the effort required to reach it. The locale is known for being a major adventure destination that’s particularly popular amongst climbers and mountaineers. 10. Fairy Meadows:

Though it has become a bit touristy (and pricey), Fairy Meadows is no doubt a stunner. The meadows offer an incredible view of Nanga Parbat, the world’s 9th highest mountain peak. Reaching Fairy Meadows is a bit of a challenge. The journey starts with a jeep ride across one of the most dangerous roads in the world and culminates with a 5 kilometer trek. It’s possible to rent a campsite, or you can bring your own equipment to enjoy a night or two basking in one of Pakistan’s most epic views.

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11. Rakaposhi Base Camp:

For all those trekking enthusiasts out there – this one’s for you! The Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek is doable in one day, even for beginners, and offers some truly scenic views of Rakaposhi, a 7,800-foot peak! There are few ways to get as up-close and personal with Pakistan’s giants than this. The trek starts from the village of Minapin, where it should take those with a decent fitness level about 4 to 5 hours to reach the top. 12. Rohtas Fort:

Say hello to another of the most beautiful places in Pakistan – this time a 16th- century fortress that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Rohtas

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Fort is located near Jhelum in Punjab, which is about 4 hours from Lahore and 2 hours from Islamabad. The fortress is one of the largest in the Subcontinent and has remained in remarkable condition despite its age. Hours can be spent roaming around the massive structure, a beautiful relic that almost seems to transport visitors back in time. It’s easy to get lost amongst the walls and gates for an entire day. Keep in mind that the fort charges an entrance fee of 500 rupees for foreigners and 20 rupees for locals. 13. Naltar Valley:

Naltar Valley is about 54 kilometers (34 miles) from Gilgit City in Pakistan’s Gilgit- Baltistan region. The popular tourist attraction is known for its dramatic forests, a collection of crystal-clear lakes, and in the winter, skiing facilities. Though many tourists just come for the slopes, the real magic of Naltar can only be witnessed in the summer months when the lakes unfreeze and the forests can be best enjoyed. This magical valley is only accessible via Jeep, but public transport does exist from Gilgit. There are a number of hotels and guesthouses to accommodate tourists in the valley’s two villages. To avoid peak tourist season, steer clear of visiting during the month of May and try coming in fall instead. You might be lucky enough to catch some epic foliage towards the end of October.

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14. Katpana Desert:

Beautiful places in Pakistan truly cover every landscape imaginable… Including the Katpana Cold Desert. Though it has all the makings of a ‘warm’ desert, what makes the Katpana stand out is its altitude. It does, in fact, become covered with snow in the winter. Said to be the highest cold desert in the world, sand dunes at this altitude look truly unique. Very few countries can lay claim to such a rarity. Travelers can reach the Katpana Desert easily from Skardu, as it’s only about 30 minutes away. Don’t count on there being public transport, though.

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Conclusion: - ➢ Study purpose is that to explore the beautiful places in all around Pakistan. ➢ To keep the peace and prosperity in Pakistan tourism also plays its role not only in Pakistan but also all over the world. ➢ Promotion, revenues, job opportunities are also increased by increase in tourism sector. ➢ Tourism also plays its role to understand the culture of other nations. ➢ To enhance the popularity of tourist spots in Pakistan. ➢ It’s also the source of foreign earning and also gives employment opportunities to the country residents.

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References: -

➢ pakistantourntravel.com/2020/03/30/importance-of-tourism- industry-and-its-economic-value/ ➢ knoema.com/atlas/Pakistan/topics/Tourism/Travel-and-Tourism- Total-Contribution-to-GDP/Contribution-of-travel-and-tourism-to- GDP-percent-of-GDP ➢ wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Pakistan ➢ www.jobmonkey.com/landtours/types_of_tours/ ➢ WTTC ➢ www.everyculture.com ➢ Travel/Hotels.com ➢ Everyculture.com