Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation is a public sector organization established by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to promote tourism in Pakistan, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is home to numerous Buddhist ruins, including the ancient city of Taxila and the Buddhas of Bamiyan. The corporation aims to develop and manage tourist destinations, facilities, and services in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and other stakeholders, such as the World Tourism Organization and the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The corporation's efforts are also supported by the Pakistan Ministry of Tourism and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Tourism.

● Introduction

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation was established to tap into the vast tourism potential of the province, which is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and historical significance, as evident in the Khyber Pass, Bab-e-Khyber, and the Ancient India. The corporation's mission is to promote sustainable tourism practices, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the economic development of the province, in line with the vision of the Pakistan Vision 2025 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vision 2023. The corporation works closely with the Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, and other airlines to improve air connectivity to the province, including the Peshawar International Airport and the Islamabad International Airport. The corporation also collaborates with the Pakistan Railways to promote rail tourism in the province, including the Khyber Train Safari.

● History

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation has its roots in the North-West Frontier Province of British India, which was known for its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage, as described by Rudyard Kipling and Winston Churchill. After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, the province was renamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tourism sector began to develop, with the establishment of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation in 1970. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation was established in 1991 as a public sector organization to promote tourism in the province, with the support of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The corporation has since worked to develop tourist infrastructure, promote cultural events, and create employment opportunities, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union.

● Organization

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation is headed by a Managing Director who is responsible for the overall management and operations of the corporation, in consultation with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Board and the Pakistan Tourism Board. The corporation has several departments, including marketing, operations, and finance, which work together to achieve the corporation's objectives, with the support of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Finance and the Pakistan Ministry of Finance. The corporation also has a network of tourist information centers and offices in major cities, including Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore, which provide information and assistance to tourists, in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Information Center and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Information Center.

● Tourism Initiatives

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation has launched several initiatives to promote tourism in the province, including the development of tourist trails, such as the Khyber Trail and the Hindu Kush Trail, which offer breathtaking views of the Hindu Kush mountains and the Karakoram range. The corporation has also established a network of tourist facilities, including hotels, restaurants, and rest houses, in collaboration with the Pakistan Hotels Association and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hotels Association. The corporation has also launched a series of cultural events and festivals, such as the Peshawar Food Festival and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cultural Festival, which showcase the province's rich cultural heritage, including the Pakhtun culture and the Kashmiri culture.

● Destinations

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to numerous tourist destinations, including the Khyber Pass, Bab-e-Khyber, and the Ancient India, which are known for their historical significance and natural beauty, as described by Alexander the Great and Xuanzang. The province is also home to several national parks, including the Ayubia National Park and the Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park, which offer opportunities for hiking, trekking, and wildlife watching, in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The corporation has also developed several tourist resorts, including the Malam Jabba Ski Resort and the Naran Kaghan Valley, which offer facilities for skiing, fishing, and boating, with the support of the Pakistan Ski Federation and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ski Association.

● Infrastructure Development

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation has invested heavily in infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, bridges, and tourist facilities, in collaboration with the National Highway Authority and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority. The corporation has also worked to improve air and rail connectivity to the province, including the Peshawar International Airport and the Islamabad International Airport, with the support of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and the Pakistan Railways. The corporation has also developed several tourist information centers and offices in major cities, including Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore, which provide information and assistance to tourists, in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Information Center and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Information Center. The corporation's efforts have helped to promote tourism in the province and contribute to the economic development of the region, in line with the vision of the Pakistan Vision 2025 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vision 2023. Category:Tourism in Pakistan