Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan’s maritime tourism potential needs to be tapped to improve the socioeconomic conditions of coastal communities, preserve the maritime ecosystem and generate previous foreign exchange. Talking to WealthPK, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Aftabur Rehman Rana said there was a lot of potential to develop tourist resorts along the more than a 1,000-kilometre coastline in Balochistan and Sindh provinces.

He said coastal landmarks in Balochistan are blessed with a cluster of beautiful beaches at different places, including Kund Malir (located in Hingol National Park), Gadani, Pasni, Gwadar, Jiwani, Makran, and Ormara, etc. “The Balochistan Coastal Development Authority has started working on a master plan to improve the existing facilities and build new ones along the Makran coast. The governments of the two provinces also plan to run small cruise ships from Karachi to Gwadar and Karachi to Pasni. They will also launch cruise ships to countries with nearby coastlines like Oman and the Gulf states.”

Aftabur Rehman said PTDC was providing technical assistance to the provincial governments in launching these projects. He said after the improvement of infrastructure under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), both local and foreign investors were showing interest in developing coastal areas and marine tourism in Pakistan. He said these initiatives, which are likely to be accomplished within the next five to six years, would prove a game changer for the tourism sector of Pakistan.

The maritime and coastal tourism industry is expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% to $2.9 trillion by 2030.Pakistan needs to attract private and foreign direct investment in development of maritime and coastal tourism to exploit the immense potential its coastlines have. Pakistan’s coastal areas can be turned into one of the world’s best beaches and recreational spots for visitors throughout the year.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk