Tourism: A Knock at the door

Superior University

Sami Ullah Bajwa, PhD

Abdul Majid Ph.D. Scholar, Superior University

No doubt that Pakistan is a rich country in resources but poor in management. In connecting that, the economy is the major engine for the progress of any country and tourism truly can deliver fuel to the machine which ultimately will heat the economy up. There are revealed and non-discovered attractions above and below sea level in Pakistan. Tourism forms in Pakistan are scenic beauty, historical heritage, archeological, sports and games, religious, festivals, geography, arts, crafts, and culture are the main outlets of the tourism.

Scenic beauty tourism

The scenic tourism of Pakistan has eye-opening charms on its north side. It, as always, attracts a large size of local as well as foreign tourists from the entire world. The main beauties that welcome the tourists are swat, Attabad lake, Kalam, Malam Jabba, Shangla, Balakot, Ayubia, Muree, Chitral, Gilgit, Kunjerab pass, Naran, and Kaghan are the on top of the most. On the other hand, some other spots exist in the southern side of the country too. These locations are in hot areas but have pleasant weather due to their height. Fort Munro in Dera ghazi khan of Punjab, Gorakh hill (Dadu) and Pir Ghayb waterfalls, Moola Chotok, Khuzdar, the Hannah jheel (Quetta), Waadi-e-Bolan (Bolan), Hingol national park, Kund Malir beach, Astola island, Gwadar Pasni (Baluchistan) are the big knock at the tourism door. These fascinations ought to be added to the list of tourist targets. This is undoubtful that these new spots can fan the progress of the tourism sector.

Historical heritage tourism

As we know a famous saying, old is gold. Historical heritage tourism also has enormous potential to be promoted. Pakistan is the only land where many empires used to rule. These locations attract exceptional tourists from all over the landmasses. Such as; Achaemenid Empire (550 BC), Mauryan Empire (322 b BC), Kushan Empire (1st century), Kabul Shahi (3rd century ), and Mughal Empire (1526). The tourists can approach many other historical areas like; Badshahi Mosque, Mosques of wazir and Muhabbat Khan, Lahore, and Rohtas fort are the leftovers of the Mughal empires. Begum Shahi Mosque, the tomb of Jahangir along with Hiran Minar are the best ones to visit. Furthermore, Takht-i-Bahi, Katas Raj Temples, Noor Mahal, Kot Diji, Ranikot fort, Nagarparkar Jain temples, Makli necropolis, Baltit fort, Altit fort (Hunza), Frere hall (Karachi), historical monument Makli hill (Thatta) and fort Bala Hisar (Peshawar)?are also good to go for a historical journey. It is undeniable that this tourism sector can dig out the treasure for the tourism industry. Truly, there is no doubt that this tourism sector can also bring prosperity to the tourism industry.

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Archaeological tourism

Archaeological sites are the hidden gem of Pakistan. It is not fallacious that Pakistan is the cradle of ancient civilizations. The essential sites that attract tourists easily are Moanjodaro, Harappa & Taxila along with the Sirkap cities are the symbols of Indus civilization. Many other similar places can be visited are; the residency of Quid e Azam, Pakistan monument, Quid e Azam & Allama Iqbal tombs, Minar e Pakistan, Islamic Summit Minar, rock edicts (Mansehra), Shah Jahan Mosque (Thatta), Mehrgarh (Baluchistan), Shalamar Garden (Lahore), Hala Monuments, Sudheran Jo Thulh Tando (Muhammad khan) are the big foot. Honestly, archaeological tourism can have the stamina to make still and stand the tourism industry.

Sports and games tourism

Sports and games tourism is the cherry on the cake for the tourism industry of Pakistan. There are more than eighty sports and games reserves in the land of Pakistan. Roughly, the core sports and games are; cricket, football, polo(the highest polo ground in the world) golf, baseball, jeep rally, white water rafting, rock climbing, buzkashi, volleyball, mountain biking, desert jeep safaris, hunting, wrestling, and kabaddi are the primary sports and games used as tourism destinations. Hunting is also scored gaining the tourism sector in Pakistan. It would be a piece of cake to attract the rich especially, gulf tourists. Shooting would be allowed in a controlled way by receiving huge money from those rich tourists. Certainly, sports and games tourism can bring more dollars to the country.

Religious tourism

Religious tourism is a mandatory and unavoidable part of the tourism industry. The land of Pakistan is packed with sacred landmarks of various ethnicities. It has as many as 480 spiritual attractions some of the well-known are; Faisal Mosque (Islamabad), Badshahi Mosque (Lahore), Shah Jahan Mosque (Thatta), Tooba Mosque (Karachi), Mahabat Khan Mosque (Peshawar), Gurdwara Dera Sahib (Lahore), Kartarpur (Narowal), Gurdwara (Nankana sahib) are top itemized. Shri Katas Raj Temples (Chakwal), Hinglaj Mata Mandir (Baluchistan), Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple (Karachi), Holy Trinity Cathedral (Karachi), Patrick’s Cathedral (Karachi), Christ Church (Rawalpindi), Sacred Heart Cathedral (Lahore), Takht-i-Bahi (Mardan), Reclining Buddha (Haripur, Jahan Abad Buddha (Swat) are the main listed areas which can unquestionably turn the table for the tourism industry of Pakistan.

?Festivals tourism

There are a lot of festivals that kick religious tourism up too. Festivals of Urs Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (Lahore), Urs Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi (Karachi), Urs Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (Sindh), Hazarat Ghulam Farid (Kot Mithun Sharif), and Urs Hazarat Fariduddin Gajnshakar (Pakpattan) are the top events took place at the said shrines of the religious Mashaikhs. Another festival type of tourism is also prevailing in the current era. The mango and orange fruit of Pakistan is well-known in western countries. Indeed, launching this category of the festival can also add value to the tourism industry of Pakistan.

Geographical landscapes tourism

Geographical landscapes are the big cheese for local as well as foreign holidaymakers. It is home to some fantastic mountain peaks, lush green landscapes, and valleys. There is the junction of three of the world's most formidable ranges Karakram, Hindukush, and Himalayas. There is a plethora of other eye-opening visions that are; Kandel and Spindhor lakes (kalam), Passu cones (Gilgit), Eagle’s nest (Hunza), Yarkhun valley (upper Chitral), Phander lake (Phander village), Hingol national park (Karachi), Kalash valleys (Chitral), Desai plains national park (Gilgit), Gorakh hills (Sindh), Shimshal valley (Hunza), Fairy Meadows (Gilgit), Margala hills (Islamabad), Naltar valley (Gilgit) and Katpana cold desert (Skardu). Indeed, geographical tourism is a gold mine for the industry of Pakistan.

Arts, crafts, and cultural tourism

Killing two birds with one stone by giving attention to this tourism sector of Pakistan is bringing more colours to the tourism industry. Pakistan is a treasure house of superb handicrafts. Each region claims its specialty. Some of the important are woodwork, pottery, lacquer work, marble and onyx carvings embroidery, mirror work, Naqashi traditional Mughal painting of furniture, objects, walls and ceilings, stone carving in the Ghandhara tradition, beadwork, patchwork Rillies of Sindh, block printing, Ajrak of Sindh and Multani work, leather, basketry, tile work, and painting are well-known at the page. Factually, it is true that this tourism sector carries weight in the tourism industry.

Conclusion

To conclude, life without the conservation of natural resources would be like a deaf listening to music or a blind enjoying a dance performance. Pakistan has various outstanding destinations. Discovering and promoting more tourism is the best fit for boosting the economy of Pakistan. There are more tourist attractions with various locations available in Pakistan. Such as scenic beauty, historical heritage, archaeological sites, sports & games, religious, festivals, geographical, and arts & crafts are the top listed ones. This is high time to put all eggs in one basket. Policymakers should take the bull by the horns so that the status of this tourism industry is restored. Once true Pakistani movers and shakers take tourism as a golden ticket, golden days are around the corner.

Superior University