Impact Of Tourism In Pakistan On Economic Growth And Global Harmony
“Tourism in Pakistan significantly boosts economic status and global harmony by connecting different cultures, increasing local production rates and competition among tourism companies. It also reduces poverty and supports middle and lower-level economic communities. Tourism is predicted to reach $1.8 billion by 2030, strong tourist endeavors benefit any country by creating jobs, raising income, attracting diverse investments, facilitating tax collection, and improving GDP.”
It contributes to economic growth across various sectors, increasing foreign exchange profits, spurring industrial expansion, and supporting travel and lodging industries. Rapid economic expansion attracts international business travelers, increasing developed nations’ foreign reserves.
As the world increasingly turns to Pakistan’s hidden gem, the future of tourism holds the promise of transformation, fostering economic growth, cultural exchange, and global understanding. Pakistan’s tourism potential requires a comprehensive management plan, investments, marketing, attractive packages, and infrastructure, with key factors including information availability, security, 24/7 emergency support, and a courteous workforce
Pakistan attracts 0.7 million tourists annually, a significant increase from the previous decade. In 2009, Pakistan ranked among 25 percent of the world’s most visited places based on its world heritage sites. According to the World Bank, Pakistan brought in $16 billion in tourist spending in 2022, and that amount is expected to rise to $30 billion by 2033. The travel and tourism sector’s total contribution to Pakistan’s GDP was 5.9 percent in 2022 and 4.2 million jobs. With its diverse landscapes, historical treasures, and vibrant culture, Pakistan is gaining popularity as a global travel destination.
Pakistan is a significant site for prehistoric archaeological research, containing ancient civilizations like the Gandhara Civilization and the Indus Valley Civilization, and the Mughal Empire. The Gandhara Civilization, linked to an ancient kingdom, is considered the sixth most beautiful area on earth. The Indus Valley Civilization, linked to the Bronze Era, was established on a 1.2 million km area with an estimated population of 5 million. Samples, antiques, and collections from these civilizations are housed in various museums in Pakistan.
Religious tourism in Pakistan involves visiting holy places for worship and spiritual pleasure. The country has a rich Islamic heritage and diverse religious heritage from other religions. The Kalash people, animists with ancient Albanian roots, have a unique culture with captivating festivals. Gurdwaras’ holy place in Nankana Sahib and Hasan Abdal are a significant persuasion site for the Sikh community. The Kartarpur Corridor connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in northwest India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, believed to be a place of Sikhism foundation. Other notable shrines in Pakistan include those of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hujwairi, Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar, Mian Mir, Shah Hussain, and Bahauddin Zakaria.
Pakistani culture values sports, with cricket being the favorite. The Pakistan Sports Board aims to enhance competition, maintain international standards, and manage sports in Pakistan. The Board supports players and associations in participating in sports. Field hockey, cricket, kabaddi, and squash attract international tourists. Pakistan’s diverse ecosystem, including dunes, mountains, deserts, and forests, is protected by national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, game reserves, and community-controlled hunting areas. With over 668 bird species, Pakistan offers nature-based tourism activities like trekking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, jeep safaris, trophy hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching. Cultural festivals and fairs provide excellent tourism opportunities, such as Shandur Polo, the Silk Route fair, the Kalash dance festival, the water sports festival, and various food festivals. Adventure tourism offers various opportunities, including the Karakoram Range, Baltoro Glacier, Chitral Valley, and Deosai National Park. These regions attract mountaineers, trekkers, and nature enthusiasts, offering challenging and rewarding experiences.
The northern part of Pakistan features some of the world’s most beautiful scenic areas, including Swat, Kalam, Malam Jaba, Shangla, Balakot, Galyat, Murree, Chitral, Gilgit Baltistan, Hunza, Kaghan, Naran, and Neelam valley. The country has an inordinate diversity of animals and plants, with five of the highest peaks in the world, including K-2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum-I, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum II. The Karakoram Highway connects Pakistan to China, offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks and valleys.
The Kaghan Valley and Neelum Valley attract nature enthusiasts. The Makran Coastal Highway, stretching along the Arabian Sea in Balochistan, presents a scenic route for road trips, allowing travelers to explore the pristine beaches and coastal landscapes. The Hingol National Park, with its diverse flora and fauna, is a testament to the country’s ecological richness. Lahore, a Mughal architecture treasure, and Karachi’s bustling bazaars showcase Pakistan’s urban life.
Positive Environmental Impacts Of Tourism in Pakistan’s Economy
Tourism is a dynamic and multifaceted industry that plays a significant role in the economic development of many countries. Its effects on the economy are profound and diverse, influencing various sectors and generating substantial revenue.
Tourism in Pakistan has enormous potential to boost economic growth, generate jobs, and encourage cultural interchange. The country’s rich history, various landscapes, and dynamic cultures make it a popular tourist destination. However, to fully enjoy its economic benefits, Pakistan’s tourism sector must confront some problems. Tourism is a significant source of revenue for many countries. According to the World Tourist Organization, worldwide tourist earnings totaled $1.7 trillion in 2019.
Pakistan may establish itself as a top vacation destination by highlighting its natural beauty, rich history, and cultural variety. To create a resilient and prosperous tourist business, the public, corporate, and local communities must work together in a cooperative manner
This infusion of funds benefits national economies, especially in countries that rely significantly on tourism. Pakistan’s GDP is considerably boosted by tourism. The sector earns a significant amount from the sale of lodging, food, travel, and entertainment. Spending by local and foreign tourists is a significant source of revenue.
Advantages And Disadvantages Tourism in Pakistan
Top 5 Advantages of Tourism
Some of the advantages of tourism are as follows:
1 Economic Growth
By generating foreign exchange revenues, countries can pay off debt or finance imports, leading to better economic Growth. Additionally, it may result in the establishment of new companies and markets, which impacts the economy as a whole. Tourism also led to the creation of jobs, thus affecting the country’s GDP as a whole.
2 Social Benefits
The understanding and preservation of cultural heritage can be enhanced by tourism. Tourism can help influence the social engagement and knowledge of communities. Tourism lets people see monuments, palaces, and other historical places, exposing them to different cultures. This tells people about culture and values that help break stereotypes and misconceptions. This results in greater inter-community empathy, understanding, and respect.
3 Education And Personal Growth
Tourism lets you learn about the place, its culture, and its heritage. This makes you sound knowledgeable. Moreover, when you are familiar, there is tremendous potential for personal Growth. Personal Growth also leads to better business opportunities.
4 Creation of Jobs
Tourism led to the creation of jobs. The country’s locals can find jobs at lounges, bars, casinos, hotels, parks, zoos, entertainment points, and other places. A career in tourism helps people to earn a decent income and live their lives quickly.
5 Breaks the Stereotypes
When you visit another nation and see its traditions and religious beliefs, you can learn about new perspectives and customs. This helps build a broader perspective and brings you closer to people from other communities. Moreover, once you feel their culture, it all breaks your myths and notions about different cultures.
Top 5 Disadvantages of Tourism
As mentioned earlier, there are both advantages and disadvantages of tourism. So, let us look at the penalties of tourism:
1 Degradation of the Environment
When millions of people travel to a destination, it leads to a high tourist influx at the goal. This is because when so many people travel to a place, it increases the number of vehicles, leading to a rise in carbon emissions. Moreover, when so many tourists are present at the same site, it can also increase the garbage, leading to the generation of a massive quantity of non-biodegradable waste. This impacts the environment badly.
2 Depletion of Natural Resources
Tourism can lead to the depletion of natural resources. When tourists come to a place, they eat food, drink water, and even use fuel to travel across the area. This can create pressure on countries that have limited access to such resources.
3 Harm to Local Culture
Due to the massive tourist influx, the countries have started commercializing their rich heritage and culture. While not every community will consider this bad, some communities are compassionate towards their culture and may feel it is a disgrace and dishonor of their culture. An enormous number of visitors come to see their unusual way of life and traditions. The countries commercialize their culture by allowing people to wear their traditional dress and be a part of traditional rituals.
4 Over Dependence on tourism
When countries consider tourism their primary sector for Growth and development, they neglect other industries. This can lead to several problems, as tourism can get poorly affected during natural disasters, war, or unrest in the country. Moreover, if the government is forced to close its border, the country’s stability can also be impacted for longer. In such cases, tourism operators may need to adjust their strategies, such as considering Rezdy alternatives to streamline operations and manage bookings more efficiently during challenging times.
5 Seasonal Nature
Some places are best visited during a specific time of the year. In such scenarios, such countries face many issues before and after the period as people’s earnings reduce, and they must look for alternate sources to earn money. Moreover, several people lose their job due to the low influx of tourists, which impacts their livelihood badly.
Conclusion
There are both advantages and disadvantages to tourism. On the plus side, tourism can have both a favorable impact on the economy and drawbacks. Because of this, it’s crucial to manage tourism operations responsibly and sustainably through careful planning, community involvement, and the implementation of sustainable tourism practices. The government must follow an approach to minimize damage and maximize the advantages.
