Pakistan is the land of opportunities blessed to compete with any destination in the world, it possesses all competitive advantages to make the difference and earn billion dollars. It seems to work out from scratch to revamp the tourism of Pakistan and introduce tourists a country with numerous offers like we have four seasons; mountains; adventure; rich culture including art; scrumptious culinary; languages; heritage; old civilizations; sports include water; winter and others; adventure; health; medical; ecotourism; shopping tourism along with investment opportunities.
No destination can grow without their human resource; we need to change our behavior. It’s all about an ‘Attitude’, in my opinion, we need to educate our people about tourism significance. Local communities can sell their handicraft or their services to tourists, which helps to improve their living standard. Moreover, Government of Pakistan should focus to introduce Tourism Degree courses in Pakistan which are so far not available. It will not help to bring students a new opportunity for career but it will also provide Pakistan tourism a workforce which can make a huge positive impact for the tourism industry of Pakistan.
In my perspective, the top priority must be ‘Sustainable Tourism’ development, we cannot even imagine to progress without its implication. Tourists admire lake full of water with its mesmerizing beauty, not plastic bags and straws; with other debris. Garbage must be disposed of properly. I suggest it’s time to place a fine on littering and also ban plastic bags and encourage people and enterprises to use reusable bags. If we as a nation work towards ‘Reduce’; ‘Reuse’ and ‘Recycle’ this will help keep the environment clean and safe. Islam is the religion which teaches about ‘Safai Nisf Emaan’ our ignorance will ruin the tourism of Pakistan.
I suggest to levy high driving license fee and make the law of confiscation at a certain level of mistake in this scenario people will respect the laws. Ultimately tourists roaming on the roads will perceive positive image about people of Pakistan and their road behavior.
“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.”
Scott Hamilton
I think taking immediate action against quack practitioners is must now, if tourists fortunately not become their victim they could perceive a negative image of Pakistan about their existence. I feel, it will be viable for the image of Pakistan to regulate all eatery establishments from top hotels to the food kiosk and abide them to follow all standard operating procedures to make a hygienic meal; drinks and even pan as tourists like to taste the local food and thus we could avoid any incident from food which tourists experience.
I give credit to honorable Prime Minister Imran Khan on his remarkable decision about new visa policy to promote the tourism of Pakistan. It helps to utilize the full potential of Pakistan. I urge the need to warn people not to dare any crime like snatching or other miss conduct with ‘tourists’, The announcement of strict punishment has dire necessity, using various media platforms before we start welcoming our guests. About hierarchy of Tourism for Pakistan I will discuss it in another article to highlight the opportunities and the framework for Pakistan.
Pakistan has developed a special security force for tourists when they deployed at touristic spots like beach; lakes; parks; Train stations; airport; Toll, then this will create a number of jobs and help alleviate poverty. It will be our contribution among United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SDG 1 ‘No Poverty’ which aims at ending all forms of poverty by 2030.
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”
Winston Churchill
I believe that if Pakistan will implement the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism of the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). It will support the advancement of our economic growth and help to minimize the possible negative impacts. Pakistan’s tourism success is directly associated with recruitment, hiring the right person at the right job can bring extraordinary results; on the contrary, it could end with disappointments through which we pay heavy opportunity cost.
Tourism Slogan is the most significant part of any destination. We should focus on a unique slogan with an impressive logo for branding Pakistan to the world, Moreover, Pakistan provinces Sindh; Punjab; Baluchistan; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir should have their own Tourism Slogans. In my Opinion for branding Pakistan, I would like to place a slogan which will be highly effective according to my critical thinking to represent Pakistan as a destination.
The tag line for PAKISTAN tourism is
“SWEET LIKE HOME”
(Suggested by UMAR KHAN)
Success has no shortcut but a strategic plan will help to reap the results a prosperous Pakistan is looking for.
Written by:
Umar Khan
M.A. International Tourism Management (Germany)
MBA (Pakistan)
Twitter: @ukhan02