Tourism offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries in creating jobs, strengthening the local economy, contributing to local infrastructure development and helping to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions, and to reduce poverty and inequality.
Globally, tourism industry has experienced significant
growth of 3.84 percent per year till 2020, becoming one of the largest and
fastest-growing sectors of the economy. Pakistan, nestled in the heart of South
Asia, has experienced 25 percent increase in tourists per year from 2013-2019.
With its rich cultural heritage, breath-taking landscapes, and diverse
ecosystems, Pakistan has immense potential to attract tourists from around the
world. However, with this potential comes a responsibility to ensure that
tourism development is sustainable, both environmentally and socially.
According
to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the tourism sector contributed
approximately 7.6% to Pakistan's GDP in 2023, supporting over 3.5 million jobs
directly and indirectly. Furthermore, tourism has the potential to drive
infrastructure development and investment in remote areas, thereby reducing
regional disparities.
Tourism,
globally is among the major economic driver, contributing trillions of dollars
to the global economy annually. According to the United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals surpassed 1.5 billion in
2023, highlighting the industry's resilience despite a greater dip during COVID-19
pandemic. This sector is facing significant challenge since then but at the
path of recovery.
Pakistan,
a land of ancient civilizations and striking natural beauty has a diverse range
of ecosystems, including mountain ranges, deserts, forests, and coastal areas,
each with its own unique flora and fauna. Five of the 14 highest peaks in the
world (the eight-thousanders) and 108 peaks above 7,000 metres are in Pakistan.
We also have 4 hot and one cold desert. Interestingly, stretching across 347,190
square KM, Balochistan is known for its varied topography which features
stunning mountain ranges, enthralling deserts, alluring beaches, serene coastal
region, waterfalls and archaeological sites.
Pakistan
has been gradually emerging as a tourist destination in the recent years.
According to the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), the country
welcomed over 2 million foreign tourists in 2023, marking a significant
increase from previous years. Moreover, domestic tourism has also been on the
rise, with millions of Pakistanis exploring their own country each year.
The
growth of tourism provides economic opportunities along with promote cultural
exchange and understanding of the people, culture, and food. However, this
rapid influx of tourists has also brought about various challenges that need to
be addressed to ensure the sustainability of the industry.
Researchers
often talks about Eco-tourism which is linked to the environment friendly
tourism, mostly implies no littering, no plastic bags and protecting
biodiversity. However, social, culture, economic sustainability is as much
important. Thus as tourism continues to expand, the concept of responsible
tourism that contains protecting social and cultural norms of the region/area,
protecting environment and creating sustainable livelihood/economic
opportunities must be taken In to account.
In
addition, responsible tourism entails protecting the benefits of tourism are
equitably distributed among local communities. This includes promoting
community-based tourism initiatives, supporting small-scale enterprises, and
investing in sustainable tourism infrastructure. Thus involvement of indigenous
people, their products and their culture are important aspect.
However,
unchecked tourism development can pose a threat to delicate ecosystems, leading
to habitat destruction, pollution, and biodiversity loss as well as threat to
social and cultural norms and lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities. To
address these challenges, efforts must be made to promote responsible tourism
practices, such as minimizing waste generation, conserving water resources, and
reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, the establishment of protected areas
and wildlife sanctuaries can help preserve biodiversity and provide tourists
with opportunities for nature-based recreation.
Besides
Eco-friendly tourism, in many cases, marginalized communities bear the brunt of
tourism development, facing issues such as displacement, exploitation, and
cultural commodification. To promote social sustainability, it is essential to
involve local communities in tourism planning and decision-making processes.
This can be achieved through community-based tourism initiatives that empower
local residents to actively participate in tourism activities and benefit from
the industry's growth. Involving indigenous people and presenting their culture
is the right of the local people. Additionally, initiatives aimed at preserving
cultural heritage, promoting traditional crafts, educating/training and
celebrating indigenous knowledge is the need of time to safeguard cultural
diversity.
While
tourism has the potential to generate significant economic rents, it is crucial
to ensure that these rents are distributed equitably across society. In
Pakistan, disparities in income and wealth distribution remain significant,
with rural and remote areas often lagging behind in terms of economic
development.
To
foster economic sustainability, investments should be targeted towards
inclusive tourism development that benefits local communities and promotes
economic empowerment. This may involve providing training and capacity-building
opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs, improving access to markets and
finance, and promoting fair trade practices within the tourism supply chain.
Besides
the critical scenario presented above and despite the immense potential of
tourism in Pakistan, numerous social, economic, governance, environment and
behaviour challenges due to several constraints that need to be addressed that ensures
long-term sustainability. The challenges and constraints include lack of sanitation
facilities, lack of security and regulatory enforcement, lack of awareness of
culture, irresponsible behaviour of the tourists due to lack of knowledge of
the tourists, non-trained guides, and inadequate infrastructure. Due to lack of
proper sanitation facilities and due to lack of proper waste disposals,
sewerage waste is thrown to the rivers. Moreover, tourists from all over
Pakistan who visits Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and KP portrays unacceptable
behaviour to the local communities that has already affected the life of local
especially females of the community. Thus need to emphasize for resilience and
adaptability.
Advancing
responsible tourism for Sustainable Development requires well-structured
national framework for responsible tourism along with provincial tourism
policies that enhances regulatory mechanisms, along with strong monitoring and
evaluation system. Moreover, it is pertinent to raise awareness for tourists
regarding local customs, traditions, and responsible behavior, ensuring
cultural sensitivity. Moreover, introducing programs in schools and communities
as well as social media campaigns, documentaries, and storytelling are pivotal to
promote responsible tourism ethics and best practices.
However
it is not possible without reforms, implementation, planning and investment. Implementing
responsible tourism practices involve multi sectoral layer efforts. It requires
partnerships between government, academia, media, local community, private
sector, and civil society.
Concisely,
responsible tourism is not just a buzzword; it is a paradigm shift that
acknowledges the interconnectedness of economic, environmental, and social
issues. The efforts to promote responsible tourism is essential to achieve
sustainable socio economic outcomes as well as eco-friendly practices by
adopting sustainable practices, empowering local communities, and fostering
inclusive growth. It does not only contributes to economic prosperity but also
promotes environmental conservation and social equity.
