PESHAWAR: More than 12,000 foreign tourists paid visit to heritage sites across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the last one year, according to data collected by tour operators.

They claimed that interest of foreign and domestic tourists in the province was increasing with each passing month.

Tour Da Peshawar, an organisation of local tour operators, celebrated seventh anniversary of the initiative by arranging a special culture and heritage tour of Peshawar walled city for students, professionals and history enthusiasts. The event was arranged under the joint auspices of Tour Da Peshawar and provincial directorate of archaeology and museums.

Seventh anniversary of Tour Da Peshawar celebrated

An old Bedford bus decorated with truck art took the participants to witness the bewitching heritage sites amidst tasty cuisines, food and beverages. Visitors termed the initiative an effective medium to promote tourism and peace in the region.

Experts threw light on archaeological, cultural and historical aspects of heritage sites in the walled city and stressed the need for their promotion and perseveration.

“Not only a soft image will be displayed but also local artists, artisans and traders will find a fresh boost due to such events in the city plagued by militancy.” Zarqa Ali Khan, a local heritage expert, said.

Shahid Ali Khan, chief coordinator of Tour Da Peshawar, said that he and his colleagues launched the initiative seven years ago in collaboration with provincial directorate of archaeology and museums to promote tourism in the region and paint soft and real image of the land and people of the culturally rich province.

He said that the anniversary special tour was part of the ongoing efforts to engage local community and the young generation in preserving and celebrating the walled city’s rich legacy. “The tour is meant to highlight our cultural roots towards building a pluralistic society and also to bring out the historical significance of the heritage sites,” he added.

Around 30 participants comprising students, professionals and heritage enthusiasts were given a guided tour of museums, streets, mosques and buildings in the walled city.

The guides shared their insights into the historical background of each site, allowing the visitors to immerse themselves in the stories around the heritage that made Peshawar such a historic city alongside tasty cousins, foods and beverages and traditional dresses.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2024