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SPECIAL REPORT

AUGUST30-2000

By Asem Mustafa Awan

ISLAMABAD — A number of ideas were floated by the speakers which were almost the same repeated over the years and the ill fated Moutain Tourism Conference 1999.

The things that were stressed and asked from the Government of Pakistan and the Tourism Ministry to be more cohesive in their planning, working and implementation in the target areas.

A strict vigil was asked in candid words on elements that have been at large since long and are involved in tarnishing the image of the country.

A process of accountability in one way or the other was stressed which has evaded the tourism high ups long enough to see that the organization which was once very profitable one a few years ago is now in economic mess.

The speakers pointed out that tourists other than the climbers that come to Pakistan are not tapped properly as there has never been a concrete strategy.

The chairman Pakistan Tourism development Corporation Masood Ali Khan in a recent meeting himself expressed the shock that he kept on sitting for hours in a Tourist Information Center but nobody turned up for any information.

One thing that can solve a number of problems is a good access network to the North. Thousands gather at the remote Shandur Pass to see the three day festival and they are locals this very event can be marketed at large scale and better organized with coordination which has never been observed in the past since long.

Specialized interests can be worked at for certain seasonal activities other than the adventure sports.

Nepal offers two seasons for climbing but in Pakistan it is only one and there is only one Everest which generates more amount than the total amount Pakistan earns from all the five 8000ers put together.

"There is enough competition between Pakistan, India and Nepal in tourism and the later two have more tourist friendly approach," said one German tourist adding," The short term gains achieved now is not the true picture and government of Pakistan must act soon and that too at the right forums to trap the tourists."

Another German said," In the international fairs where he is a regular visitor Pakistan pavilion has the very least to offer despite having the best of treasures from the entire SAARC region put together in tems of tourist attractions."

One Swiss travel operator said,"It is beautiful country and it is like a home to me and I project Pakistan where ever I go."

Chief Executive General Pervaiz Musharraf in the recent past discussed at length a number of ideas which could enhance the ailing tourism industry which has so much to offer but is never utilized to the optimum.

The seasonal exercise is likely to get a year round activity but for that the entire environment in the tourism sector has to undergo a revolutionary change specially the offices which are in direct contact with the tourists.

'Land of the Pure' has a great deal to offer but radical steps are needed besides a major reshuffle in the establishment.

The tourism scenario currently has only die hard mountaineers and trekkers who come to Pakistan to be a part of the wilderness in the North which is one of a kind.

It may be mentioned here that India has totally revitalized its tourism sector in the recent past and one British climber said," I booked a mountain in India by sending an email besides receiving a thank you note and a confirmation that you are welcome to come and climb, but in Pakistan I deposit the amount in thousands of dollars a number of months in advance and then I sit and wait, there is no confirmation what happened with the amount and there is certainly no 'thank you' and believe me I have been visiting Pakistan since 1986."

One German writer said," The media specially electronic can play a major role in informing the public but no quality programmes are aired and good documentaries can help and boost Pakistan a lot. Sadly this area is never considered todate."

An American writer and climber said," Other countries have a better approach as they are more hospitable and they invest on the potential client that is likely to get them the market and they spend lavishly on that potential marketer who is likely to build the opinion of the masses and bring the market to their country, Nepal had created an aura about her like this — state hospitality added with protocol."

Visit Pakistan 2001 status has been linked according to the official version with 2002 the year which according to the WTO authorities is year of the mountains and eco tourism.

The tourism industry which has so much potential in terms of generating foreign exchange has never been given a serious thoughts over the years and it is a fact that their are vast difference in terms of money which is earned from it.

Nepal and India have left Pakistan far behind due to their professional and tourist friendly approach and one can imagine the number of tourists visiting these two destinations.

The most glaring example of in competency was seen in the recent past was  from the honourable minister for tourism, culture and sports Derick Cyprian who in his statement issued on July 23, said Pakistan is blessed with eight of 14 8000ers of the world while the fact is Pakistan has five.

It was issued from the Tourism Ministry staff who turned out to be so ill informed.

'Ministry of Tourism' has earned billions by selling these mountains to the foreigners which they themselves have never seen and despite the fact they tend to act so impassive.

Derick Cyprian has left the office but the new minister must seek information about the eight 8000ers of Pakistan from the pseudo experts in the ministry who played a part in his predecessor's removal.

One thing that also needs a probe is that Tourism Ministry wasted millions in the Mountain Tourism Conference in 1999. Climbers and speakers who visited Pakistan in 1999 believe that even half of the recommendations in that '1999 Moot' are implemented the amount of foreign exchange expected now in 2000 can be raised to at least 15 to 20 per cent but the policy makers have to show the interest and commitment.

One foreign climber said," It is very unfortunate that people who have no love for tourism control it and make the policies.

He said," The rape of the German trekker was a heinous act and a few words from the ministry expressing the grief over the incident added with the early arrest would not have painted the picture that justice is delayed and Government of Pakistan is not serious in apprehending the accused."

"The story in the media would have, have a different angle but these things were never considered and these unfortunate incidents happened all over the world but they are not publicized the way that  was observed in Pakistan."

ENDS

Queries for the policy makers from the tourists/ climbers

ISLAMABAD — A few queries over the years which still remained unanswered needs the attention of the experts who have joined forces to take Pakistan to new heights in tourism were raised.

The queries have come from foreign trekkers/ climbers/ tour operators etc.

Pakistan International Airlines offers a less fare from London to Kathmandu then London to Islamabad. The two are the gateways to Everest and K-2.

PIA charges Rs 60 to 70 per kg in baggage when it is flown from Europe to Pakistan (Islamabad) but it charges Rs 150 to 160 per kg when the climbers take their baggage from Islamabad to Europe.

Confirmation of seats is problem in the international flights as climbers have to take their passport for showing it to authorities in the higher terrain for proving their identity. It takes minimum 12 days from Islamabad to K-2 Base Camp if all went well and approximately 8 to 9 days when coming back.

No leaflets is provided to the tourists by PIA/ PTDC/ Tourism Ministry what they can expect when they land in Pakistan. The other leaflets are there but the answers how they will proceed after landing at Islamabad/ Karachi and other cities is not there.

Similarly the foreigners are charged double the amount in the PIA flights when they go from Islamabad to Skardu/ Gilgit than the locals.

PTDC has raised their rates from Rs 600 to 1600 which has made a number of tourists to side step from the PTDC facilities.

Tour operators also have their complaints and it is the Ministry of Interior has fixed the time from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. The have asked a separate desk which should do the necessary records from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and should be tourist friendly.

The tourists also complained that the Pakistan foreign mission abroad are also very unhelpful and they delay in their processing of visas and often they require a letter from the Ministry of  Tourism/ Tour Operator to seek the status of the person going to Pakistan.

Last but not the least the climbers/ tourist say that "We are spending 10,000 dollar minimum for peak permit added with double the amount of expenses during our stay at the mountains, the Ministry is getting this money for doing the paper work which shouldn't take more than an hour but unnecessary delays added with in competency makes our stay miserable in Islamabad.

We pay to see the mountains in Pakistan and trek all the way for days just to be there in the vicinity of the area, a little courtesy from the Government of Pakistan/ PIA/ Ministry of Tourism/ Interior Ministry will not do any harm.

We are paying to be here and we need our hosts to be a little friendly.