PESHAWAR: Local professionals and youth who care about the image of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have called for promoting domestic tourism to show the hospitable face and promote scenic tourist destinations to the countrymen from other provinces.

Issues related to domestic tourism were discussed at a “creative meet up” which was organised by the Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa here the other day. The event was attended by people from different walks of life, including singers, entrepreneurs, consultants, civil society members and a number of youth, according to a press release issued here on Sunday.

Domestic tourism was the focus of the conference and everyone agreed that only then would foreign tourists visit this part of the world when it was safe for the domestic tourists.

It was noted that even when people from other provinces came to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa they were usually afraid since they did not know the real hospitable face of the province.

However, once they arrive and witness the hospitality of the people all doubts are erased from their minds.

The participants suggested that to attract tourists there was a need for better infrastructure e.g. rest houses, roads, youth hostels, toilets, etc. It was also demanded to increase the capacity building of local communities through guides, training, etc.

The participants said that the cycling events that were previously held in Kaghan and Naran should be revived as such events played a big role in attracting tourists and promoting the soft image of the province.

Another demand, which has been met lately, was to teach tourism and cultural heritage in curriculum.

It said that TCKP had taken an initiative with the University of Peshawar to introduce this subject in its newly established Tourism Department.

The participants also stated that the budgets for tourism promotion should be increased and TCKP should have its own tourism channel. Media adviser to the CM, Najeeullah Khattak, stated that TCKP should do branding of rickshaws, and replace gory scenes with tourism and cultural images. The KP tourism department should brand number plates of cars and follow the theme of “I Love KP”.

The conference was chaired by adviser to the chief minister on tourism and youth affairs, Amjad Khan Afridi, along with secretary tourism Aftab Akbar Durrani and TCKP managing director Mushtaq Ahmad.

Amjad Afridi said on the occasion that TCKP would launch regular cultural activities at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar.

He said that the provincial government wanted to revive the tourism sector of the province to generate revenue and promote the soft image of the province.

Published in Dawn, November 24th , 2014