AP An amount of Rs. 1.28 billion would be spent on tourism especially in promoting infrastructure and its improvement during next five years. "The government recognizes the importance of tourism as an economic venture which is also an employment generator at the local level," official sources said.
Talking to APP, the sources said liberal incentives have been accorded to promote private enterprise in tourism sector with a focus on promotion of domestic and foreign tourism during the period.
The sources maintained under Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) 2005-10, the major thrust in tourism sector will be on provision of basic infrastructure such as roads and utilities in areas of interest are on high priority. This includes improving inter-city and urban transport including mass transit networks in large cities.
The other plan is to facilitate the development of affordable and acceptable chains of hotels and tourist sites in northern mountainous areas and around major archaeological sites in all the provinces by the private sector. The tourist operating services with emphasis on training of tourist guides including learning of foreign languages will also be improved during 2005-10, the sources added.
"We have also planned to develop museums to effectively portray and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the country and region," the sources said.
The preservation of printed, painted and crafted national treasures and encouraging of local arts, theatres and music activities will also be focussed during the period.
The sources said recognition of local artists' achievements and their due promotion, additional financial instruments to enhance credit environment for local companies and effective cultural exchange programmes with other countries are also included in the MTDF for the next five years.
Pakistan is blessed with one of the great ecosystems in the world in the form of the Indus Basin, ranging from snow-clad mountains in the north to mangrove swamps in the south.
The flora and fauna is extremely diverse and the people are hospitable while northern mountains and Gandhara civilization are well projected locally and abroad. Pakistan is also home to ancient civilization and cultures reflected by group of settlements based around Mohenjodaro in Sindh, Meher Garh in Balochistan and Harappa in Punjab. These invite an effective contribution from the private sector tour operatorswith the help from the state. |