The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved the allocation of Rs. 5 billion to be spent on promoting tourism across the country. This budget allocation will be used for the construction of roads, improving the tourism infrastructure and erecting new tourist spots across the scenic destinations of the province.
The approval for this budget allocation arrived a day after Chief Minister KP, Mahmood Khan, approved the allocation of Rs. 700 million for improvements in the Tourism Police.
Tourism Infrastructure in KP
Reports reveal that the approved budget will be utilized in the construction of fourteen roads in the Malakand and Hazara Divisions of KP. In the Hazara division, roads will be constructed to connect the areas of Shogaran, Poprang, Gunnol, and Koran Bin with the regions of Mandi Siran, Komal Gali and Suhra Road in Mahnur Valley.
*KP Govt is investing big time in National & International tourism. But we are also going to invest in local tourist spots to encourage healthy entertainment for whole family & also job creation. Razmak, the 'Little London' & other areas of merged districts r our priority* pic.twitter.com/u77v2eEXzv
— Mahmood Khan (@IMMahmoodKhan) December 12, 2019
In the Malakand division, roads will be constructed to improve accessibility in Anakar, Burj Banda, Marghzar, Kafar Banda, Madyan, Bishigram, Erin, Godar Lake, Darul, and Bahrain. As per the orders, given by the KP Minister for Tourism, Atif Khan, the construction work on these roads will begin within this week.
Last week, CM Mahmood Khan also directed the relevant authorities to set up a KP Tourism Authority to actively promote tourism in the scenic sites and tourist destinations across the province. The CM allocated Rs. 500 million for the construction of the home cities project, which is to be constructed at three different tourist destinations.
Read more: Beautiful Pakistan: Classed as top travelling destination for 2020
He also approved the allocation of Rs. 500 million for marketing the scenic tourist sites and attract tourists from within the country and across the world.
Earlier in September, the KP government approved the allocation of Rs. 5 billion for the construction of roads leading up to the scenic tourist destination of Kumrat. KP Tourism Minister Atif Khan said that the budget allocation would also aid the authorities in preserving the natural beauty of Kumrat, Jahaz Banda and other scenic sites in Upper Dir.
Pakistan declared No 1 tourist destination for 2020 by Conde’ Nast Traveler magazine https://t.co/44YDRS87hO
— Atif Khan (@AtifKhanpti) December 15, 2019
The Minister also announced plans for the construction of hotels, motels and other tourist infrastructure to promote the picturesque valley. He noted that a proper road-map and well-devised strategy will be deployed for constructing hotels and shops without overshadowing the natural beauty of Kumrat.
It appears that the tourism-focused policies and relaxed visa regime of the Imran Khan-led government has proven fruitful, as Conde Nast Traveller, a prominent travel magazine, has rated Pakistan as the No.1 tourist destination in the world for the year 2020.
Read more: Beautiful Balochistan Beaches Are Pakistan’s Unexplored Tourism Treasures
Pakistan is breaking free of its negative image, marred by incidents of extremism and violence, and emerging on the tourist map as its scenic sites and picturesque natural beauty is being vigorously promoted by governmental and non-governmental organizations.