Tourism is an industry severely affected by Covid-19. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), global travel saw a drop in international tourist arrivals of -74 percent. In due course, however, it will return to normal – with numerous changes than before.

The researchers “emphasize” the fact that a healthy operational mind requires at least two trips a year. Travel is a huge industry with enormous potential and, if done right, can boost entire economies. Countries like Thailand, Maldives, China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey are prime examples of how tourism is helping to increase GDP in the region.

It really makes sense when you look at the way their tourism industry is set up and the guidelines are aligned with that. The way tourism correlates with other industries is also very fascinating, be it airlines, hotels, amusement parks, infrastructure and development, transportation, entertainment, food and drink, etc.

Pakistan is a country that is blessed with nature, resources and beauty. However, we couldn’t really take advantage of it. There are countless reasons for this – law and order, a lack of infrastructure, corruption that hinders progress in government agencies, a lack of acceptance and international presence and, in individual cases, religious legal systems.

For the past few years we’ve been seeing little things that show we’re moving forward as a nation – things like bike paths on beaches, restoration of heritage sites, commercialization of tourist attractions like Hunza, Gilgit, Peshawar, people coming out and protesting about things that matter , the influx of international influencers visiting the true beauty of Pakistan and making it known to the world. I would hand that over to PM Khan. However, there is still a need for an appropriate strategy to stimulate this industry and turn it into a revenue generating sector.

First and foremost is law and order, which has undoubtedly decreased in the last 10-15 years, but it has to be at a point where people can roam freely with little or no street crime. Second, smart infrastructure needs to be developed for mobility within and between cities – subways, train stations, smart highways and tolls, etc. This means working with the private sector to leverage their technologies while developing long-term sustainable options and to plan.

Third is the development in cities tailored to the needs of travelers – the commercialization of beaches, adventure sports and the use of old planes for sky sports, entertainment businesses and the provision of tax incentives for investment by foreigners and locals in this industry. This will also lead to startups in the travel and tourism industries that will ultimately benefit Pakistan’s ecosystem.

Remodeling existing places and converting them into commercial avenues such as Sea View in Karachi, Hawkes Bay, Sandspit into an adventure sports location with arcades and safari nearby, salt mines as a tourist attraction, etc.

We also need to work with our airline to develop guidelines to ensure that flights traveling across our country must have a mandatory stopover in the capital or other city and to create incentives for hotels to grant them free stays, as has been done by Emirates and Etihad Airlines in the past. This will also have a direct impact on the promotion and export of local delicacies from Pakistan to the world. Last but not least, we could benefit from leaving our religious differences aside from our state policy, or at least tourism policy for the moment.

Moving to some secular policies can also have massive macroeconomic effects as you can tax and regulate the bankless state-run economy – like alcohol, nicotine, etc.

It will be a while before the global tourism industry returns to normal; Rethinking and re-analyzing our strategies could very well result in Pakistan being a constant source of income from the sector.

The author is a freelance journalist and communications professional.

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