MINGORA: Stakeholders here on Sunday called for collective action to address climate risks and governance challenges in an effort to revitalise the tourism sector in the country.
They had gathered at a hotel in Mingora for the inaugural consultative meeting of the Tourism Climate Alliance Pakistan (TCAP).The meeting brought together hotel owners, tourism experts, and policymakers from across northern regions, including Swat, Naran, and Kaghan.
Participants underscored the need to reposition tourism as a formal industry and to develop a coordinated response to the growing impact of climate change.Speakers emphasized that Pakistan’s tourism sector, despite its immense potential, continued to suffer from policy inconsistencies and institutional fragmentation.
“Tourism is perhaps the most overlooked sector in the country,” one participant noted, adding that the absence of a coherent policy framework had left stakeholders vulnerable to economic instability and environmental challenges.
The discussions highlighted how climate change has increasingly disrupted tourism-dependent communities over the past decade. Erratic weather patterns, natural disasters, and environmental degradation have not only affected visitor inflows but also threatened livelihoods tied to the sector.
A key concern raised during the meeting was the lack of coordination among government departments. Participants argued that policies are often formulated without meaningful consultation with those working on the ground, resulting in ineffective or impractical measures.
In response, the alliance proposed a shift in strategy, transforming TCAP from a discussion platform into a full-fledged movement aimed at safeguarding the future of tourism in Pakistan.The proposed “movement approach” seeks to mobilize stakeholders, advocate for policy reforms, and strengthen resilience at both community and industry levels.
