Saba Javed

A tailored framework and toolkit have been suggested for Pakistan to measure its tourism economy and benchmark the sector against the regional and global economies. This recommendation comes from a consultative workshop on Pakistan's National Tourism Competitiveness Index (NTCI), co-hosted by the World Bank Group (WBG) and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). It was attended by the pertinent federal and provincial stakeholders as well as members of the corporate sector, specialists in the field, and academics.

Participants at the event were given a presentation of the NTCI's structure and the associated dashboards, which will help clear the way for a national repository of tourist statistics, allowing the authorities to monitor industry trends. A panel discussion on "Resilient and Responsible Tourism for Pakistan" was also part of the event. The panellists emphasised the importance of responsible tourism, minimising the sector's impact on the environment, preserving cultural heritage, and sharing economic benefits with the local populations. The session was conducted by Kiran Afzal, Senior Private Sector Specialist, WBG.

"We are aware of the untapped potential of the country's travel and tourism industry and remain committed to working with the federal and provincial governments for the tourism sector's resilience and competitiveness," WBG Operations Manager Gailius Draugelis said at the event.

The WBG's Practice Manager for the Finance Competitiveness and Innovation team, Gabi Afram, reaffirmed the organization's sustained support for the Pakistani government's strategy for destination planning and the growth of the tourism industry in the country. The World Bank Group is happy to assist PTDC in its initiatives to foster a robust and inclusive tourist industry, he added. The promotion of NTCI will surely improve the sector's ability to gather trustworthy data, monitor market trends, and make informed policy decisions, he said.

While acknowledging the WBG's assistance, PTDC Managing Director Aftab-Ur-Rehman Rana emphasised the significance of the event by saying that the NTCI will enable the travel and tourism industries to advance with the help of policy makers. He said that NTCI will serve as a benchmark for public and private sector partners to enhance the sector's contributions to job creation, cultural preservation, and sustainable economic growth.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk