By Abdul Ghani

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) is set to develop 16 picnic spots in Chitral as part of a broader strategy to enhance tourism infrastructure and improve visitor facilities, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The Authority will develop tourist facilitation services at nine key destinations to support visitors with improved amenities and guidance.

The development of these 16 picnic spots is part of a broader set of interventions to strengthen tourism infrastructure across Chitral. These initiatives include constructing jeepable tracks in tourist-bearing areas, establishing camping pod cites and rest houses, and promoting community-based accommodation facilities to encourage local participation in tourism activities.

The plan is designed not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to generate sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

By increasing the number of accessible sites, the authorities aim to attract both domestic and international tourists, thereby contributing to regional economic growth. The provincial government is actively working with the federal ministries and relevant stakeholders to align tourism policies and accelerate development initiatives.

According to the document, these infrastructure projects will complement ongoing cultural and adventure tourism initiatives in the region, helping position Chitral as a key tourism hub. The KP government has reiterated its commitment to a coordinated and sustainable approach, ensuring that tourism growth translates into long-term socio-economic benefits for the area.

The KPCTA operates under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Act, 2019, which provides a comprehensive statutory framework for the development, regulation, promotion, management, and marketing of tourism and cultural heritage across the province.

The Authority is mandated to operate throughout the province, including Chitral, and is responsible for promoting tourism, facilitating tourism activities, coordinating with stakeholders, and implementing tourism development schemes in line with the provincial and national policy objectives.

Credit: INP-WealthPk