MINGORA: Tourists from across the country said that Malam Jabba was a unique tourist resort where they could enjoy the enchanting natural beauty and serenity besides having the opportunity to participate in the snow sports and funs.

They were enjoying the snow funs and adventure at the ski resort on the first day of Malam Jabba snow festival and ski championship. Swat district nazim Mohammad Ali Shah was the chief guest on the occasion while a large number of tourists from different parts of the country participated in the event.

After inaugurating the festival, the nazim said that the district government was keen to promote tourism in Swat because it was the backbone of the economy.

“National and international tourists must visit this beautiful place to not only enjoy the snow-related fun here, but also experience hospitality of the local people,” he said.

The tourists said that it was the best snow resort where they could enjoy snow tubing, skiing, skating and other adventures.

“Here we did a snow hike with family and friends to the top and also enjoyed snow tubing which we could not do anywhere else,” said Shagufta Ali, a tourist from Lahore. However, she expressed disappointment at the bad shape of Malam Jabba road and said that because of this they might not visit the area again.

Local residents were also happy over the revival of tourism and arrival of tourists.

“Over 300 local residents were employed in different sectors during the construction and installation of chairlift and other facilities and we have heard that about 500 local people will get employment after the five-star hotel is completed,” said Abdul Ali, a resident of Malam Jabba, adding that many young boys became ski players and coaches too.

They recalled that the tourist resort had lost everything after Taliban destroyed the hotel and other facilities.

They said that Malam Jabba’s was regarded as international ski slope attracting national and international skiers and tourists.

The tourists and local residents demanded of the government to construct the dilapidated road to Malam Jabba to boost tourism in the area and resolve transportation issues of the local people.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2019