Pakistan Tourism Development
Pakistan is rich in culture and history. Located at strategic crossroads between South East, Middle East and Central Asia, Pakistan boosts of monuments, forts, valleys and lakes. The eastern and southern part is blessed by River Indus, with deserts in the West, the Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountains in north including K2 (the second highest mountain in the world after Everest). It also has the second largest Muslim population in the world.
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Places of interest
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The main tourist sites in Pakistan are Karachi, Chaukundi Tombs, Haleji Lake, Khyber Pass, Swat valley, ancient Indus Valley Civilization, Islamabad (capital of Pakistan) and K2 mountain.
Tourism and Terrorism
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Pakistan has been a favourite tourist destination. However, its tourism has been largely tarnished in the international forum. Pakistan has been blotched in the red ink of terror and hostility. It is now better known to the world as a breeding ground of militancy.
Political Instability
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Pakistan tourism has suffered considerably after foreign tourists were abducted and taken as hostages. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto and its internal strife has led tourists to believe that it is not safe for visit. Moreover, it has a weak tourism infrastructure, with less branding and exposure. According to reports of The World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008 (WEFTTC), "Pakistan has been ranked as 103 out of 124 countries around the globe in terms of tourism."
Weak Infrastructure
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Pakistan lacks in basic facilities and is unable to meet the international standard requirements. According to WEFTTC ,"With a poor tourism infrastructure, the provision of standard and competitive hotel rooms in Pakistan is at number 110, the national and cultural recourses is at 96."
Climate Change
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Climate change has also been attributed to the loss of tourism in Pakistan. National Assembly Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza said "Global warming and sudden change in weather patterns has substantially changed, resulting in less arrival of tourists to Pakistan. So the country has to adopt measures for protection of fauna and flora, which have a corresponding effect on climate."
Pakistan Tourism Development
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Pakistan is aware of the potential threat of decreasing tourism influx and is striving hard to get it back. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) have formulated plans to improve infrastructure, communication, accommodation and security to restore its tourism. Federal Minister for Water and Power and Tourism Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said "Pakistan government was taking appropriate measures for revival of tourism industry in the country. The ministry had drafted a comprehensive policy to attract foreign and local tourists."
Tourism and its importance
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Tourism in Pakistan is vital for its existence. It will largely assist in the socio-economic turmoil that the country faces. Moreover, the diverse and vivid tourist attractions and the large section of people dependent on tourism would perish, in the lack of tourism. However, in the face of suicide attacks, assassination and terrorists, it seems to be quite a challenge.
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