KP expands tourism infrastructure, adventure opportunities

PESHAWAR - The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is expanding tourism infrastructure, opening up new destinations and promoting adventure activities as part of efforts to improve visitor facilities and develop safe and sustainable tourism across the province. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), under the supervision of Director General Shahid Khan Mehmood, is undertaking a range of projects to improve access to existing tourist destinations and develop new ones, according to an official release issued here on Thursday. Quaid's principles: A roadmap to overcoming Pakistan's challenges Three jeep tracks are being developed to facilitate access to emerging tourist areas, including routes from Tal to Jahaz Banda in Upper Dir, Ayun to Bamburet in Lower Chitral, and Laram Sar to Aso Kandaw in Upper Dir. Adventure tourism is also a key component of the initiative. Training centres established in Chitral and Swat are providing instruction in mountaineering, trekking, camping, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding and other adventure activities, while also imparting relevant skills to local communities. The authority is simultaneously developing visitor facilities at five small dams, six waterfalls and 16 picnic destinations across the province. Four selected for Pride of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Awards The planned facilities include prayer areas, washrooms, parking spaces, information desks, seating areas, tuck shops and security rooms to improve basic amenities and visitor convenience at these sites. Tourist facilitation centres are also being developed at nine locations, including Bassi, Boni, Landakai, Salhad, Harnai and Raisan. The centres will provide visitors with accommodation and other basic amenities. Under the Host Tourism Programme, more than 100 people in Swat, Chitral, Dir, Mansehra and Abbottabad have so far received interest-free loans during the first phase to develop or renovate rooms in their homes for use as tourist accommodation. KP Assembly panel reviews food security, food safety measures The programme offers loans of up to Rs3 million for a period of five years in collaboration with the Bank of Khyber, enabling local residents to participate in and benefit from tourism-related economic activity. The tourism helpline 1422 is operating round the clock to provide tourists with information, emergency assistance and a mechanism for resolving complaints, particularly for visitors travelling to Hazara and Malakand divisions. The authority is also planning a series of adventure tourism activities around Falaksar Peak in Swat this year, including high-altitude expeditions, trekking and awareness programmes, with the aim of promoting the area as an adventure tourism destination. Commissioner orders action against absentee staff Meanwhile, tourism police deployed in Malakand and Hazara divisions are assisting visitors through first aid, emergency response and support during incidents at tourist destinations. Wireless communication sets have also been provided to the personnel to improve their response time. As part of efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness, the KPCTA recently organised first-aid training for tourism police personnel and journalists in Galiyat in collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The participants received practical training in providing immediate assistance in the event of accidents and other emergencies, the release added.