PESHAWAR, June 19: There is a dire need to improve infrastructure in the NWFP’s tourists spots to boost tourism in the province, a private tour operator said on Thursday.

In “The Guest Hour” programme of Peshawar Press Club, Zahoor Durrani stressed the need for boosting domestic tourism at a time when foreign tourists’ arrival had shrunk to a trickle.

Despite having potential tourist resorts, tourism industry was facing a slump in the NWFP, he said. Tourism was dying due to lack of proper infrastructure, lack of domestic and foreign tourists, and apathy of the authorities concerned, he added.

He said the people living in other parts of Pakistan were not visiting the NWFP’s tourists resorts in large enough numbers.

In the current situation, it would be even more difficult to attract domestic tourists as many were apprehensive about the latest developments taking place in the province, he said.

“The domestic tourists should come here, and see for themselves that life is peaceful, people are hospitable, and nothing has happened here,” observed Mr Durrani, who is known for launching various projects here for luring tourists.

“Tourism faced a setback after 9/11, and tour organizers should now forget about foreign tourists for some time.

“They should offer affordable packages to attract domestic tourists as an alternative, as the season had already begun,” he said.

He said the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and private tour operators attributed the slump in industry to lack of funds. The absence of proper metalled roads, gas and electricity facilities in the tourists spots had worsened the situation.

He said the government had allocated Rs50 million in the provincial budget for the sector, which was not enough to promote even domestic tourism.

Despite assurances, the MMA government had done nothing so far to give the industry the much-needed shot in the arm. On the other hand, the Islamisation campaign of the MMA government had scared off tourists, he claimed.

During the question-answer session, Mr Durrani said that rumours about a ban on some recreational activities had discouraged even some domestic tourists from visiting the NWFP.

Khyber Steam Safari, run by Pakistan Railways Advisory and Consultancy Service, was restarted in June. But it was stopped after 9/11 as the situation in the valley was not favourable.

This gave the tourism sector a huge setback.

There is a special 50 per cent discount for students and families, and special excursion and study trips for children would be arranged in October. These special packages are offered to encourage domestic tourism and lift the industry out of distressful condition.

The Frontier region is rich in tourist resorts, and the people of most of such areas like Swat, Kaghan, Naran, Chitral, Nathia Gali and Khyber Valley mostly depend on tourism for eking out a living.

The craftsmen, transporters, antique sellers, hotel owners, tourist guides and travelling agencies are among those who earn their bread and butter from this industry.