Islamabad: It is important to promote green tourism in Pakistan to make the tourism sector more productive and sustainable as well as attract local and foreign investment, said Aftab ur Rahman Rana, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in an interview with WealthPK.
He said, almost all stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industry use the environmentally friendly model or green tourism to reduce the negative impact on regional and environmental ethics. For example, reducing the use of forest wood in hotels for heating, cooking, or construction purposes has become popular.
Other environmentally harmful practices are common, such as the management of waste, sewage, and environmentally friendly energy sources in addition to carbon-emitting fuels and water liability.
All these parties are now regularly involved in tourism and hospitality businesses. As we progress in adopting these environmentally friendly measures, tourism and related industries become greener.
“Furthermore, local communities and visitors are sensitive to the positive and negative impacts of tourism. The local community is now more prepared to face the negative impact caused by tourists to the region or community. It is also part of the green tourism experience. If tourists are sensitive, they are more responsible and refrain from cutting down trees and polluting the area and water sources. In this way, they position themselves as more responsible and green tourists.
Aftab said further, “PTDC prefers to use some best practices in operational and tourism facilities. Even Europe and many other countries limit the arrival of tourists to manageable numbers to prevent panic. Now is the right time to fully embrace and implement the concept of green tourism in Pakistan to make our tourism more sustainable so that future generations can enjoy what we are enjoying today. It will also benefit future societies in terms of socio-economic stability and protected environmental heritage. “
Speaking to WealthPK about the importance of developing green tourism experiences in Pakistan, Mubarak Hussain, Owner and CEO of Islamabad-based Karakoram Adventure Travel Company, said green tourism is important for preserving the environment, culture, and long-term sustainability.
Green Tourism will promote the economic development, investment, and socio-economic capacity of the people concerned with rapid growth in the tourism sector. However, all this requires the collective efforts of government departments and relevant stakeholders, including the public. A joint effort is the only key to success and an awareness campaign is needed to make this dream a reality. Thus, not only the tourism sector in Pakistan will be strengthened, but also new business, trade, and business opportunities will be created.
