Importance of eco-tourism in Pakistan

Pakistan faced unprecedented floods in 2022 due to climate change and heavy monsoon rains. One-third of the country was drowning, devastatingly impacting 33 million people, several buildings and homes. Many other industries, including tourism, are affected by it. It has brought many challenges to the country as well as opportunities. Policymakers, federal and provincial governments and heads of various tourism-related companies have declared it essential to promote eco-tourism in the country to recover from the devastating impacts of the floods and rains.

At the National Tourism Conference, it was concluded to keep nature and heritage safe and prioritize hospitality and tourism. For a beautiful country like Pakistan, tourism can be the backbone of its economy as it is one of the fastest-growing industries globally. Promoting tourism can play a crucial role in economic development because it will create jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings and attract investment. The government is committed to improving the infrastructure, and collective efforts will improve the situation. The floods made developers and policymakers realize their flaws in building infrastructure and provided a good opportunity to move forward in the developing world and celebrate the achievements and potential of the tourism industry.

The threats of climate change and global warming have made Pakistan more vulnerable to unexpected disasters. They pose a huge challenge, and the tourism industry stakeholders must be prepared to confront these challenges. Rather than seeking profit, the people in the industry must rethink new dimensions of tourism for inclusive growth and the long-term benefit of the citizens and foreigners. The tourism area must be planned before development, reducing the impact of natural disasters. Pakistan has a lot of potential in the northern areas, but most areas are unapproachable, and roads are not safe. Tourism authorities must focus on the safety of visitors and make areas easily accessible. International hospitality standards and hotel chains must be introduced in Pakistan. It will promote sustainable tourism and attract foreign tourists, resulting in an inflow of money and economic stability.