Faiza Tehseen

Promoting ecotourism in Pakistan is a must for sustainable economic growth, revenue generation and the prevention of environmental degradation.

“By embracing responsible tourism practices, we can ensure environmental safety,” said Aftabur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). Talking to WealthPK, he said, “Ecotourism emerges as an important tourism segment that offers unique opportunities for sustainable growth. By ensuring a greener future through responsible tourism, the vast tourism potential of Pakistan can be unlocked for the outer world.” He said that officially a few initiatives had been taken to promote ecotourism, including laying a sustainable tourism infrastructure, and conducting trainings for local tour operators and guides. Aftab also called for increasing the community engagement in promoting sustainable tourism practices. He said that investment in eco-friendly facilities, including environmentally certified hotels and lodges, was a must. “To empower the local communities and to make ecotourism a perfect socioeconomic activity, it is necessary to initiate regular awareness sessions and training programmes.”

The PTDC managing director said the government had launched the Indus dolphin conservation programme to promote the wildlife tourism, besides promoting trekking and adventure tourism in the Karakoram range, and trekking and camping in Deosai National Park. Talking about the importance of ecotourism to boost revenue generation and ensure environmental protection, Rahat Karim Baig, deputy director of tourism department of Baltistan, told WealthPK that ecotourism was the viable means to boost the economy, particularly in the rural areas. “Ecotourism can attract investment in different tourism segments, create jobs in hospitality, tour operations, and transportation sectors. It can also be a good source of income generation for small and medium-enterprises.” Rahat said that by developing eco-friendly accommodations, wildlife sanctuaries and eco-parks, a good number of foreign tourists can be attracted to the country. “Areas like Chitral and Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan are famous tourist destinations, where sustainable ecotourism practices can be promoted.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk