MINGORA: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has intensified efforts to promote tourism and attract investment across the province, particularly in the scenic Swat Valley, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the local economy and position the region as a premier tourist destination, said Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Tourism and Culture, Malik Adeel Iqbal on Monday.
Speaking to journalists at the Commissioner’s Office in Swat, he said the provincial government was undertaking comprehensive measures to showcase Swat’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and tourism potential at both national and international levels.
Among those present on the occasion were Secretary Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Saadat Hassan, Director General of Upper Swat Development Authority Shoaib Abbas, Director Culture and Tourism Authority Shahryar Khan, Deputy Director Upper Swat Development Authority Faheemullah, and USDA spokesperson Saeedur Rahman.
The special assistant announced that a series of tourism and cultural events would be organized in the coming months, including the highly anticipated Kalam Festival and several other major activities aimed at attracting visitors and highlighting the region’s unique attractions.
The special assistant said significant interest had been shown by both domestic and foreign investors during a pre-bid meeting held in connection with the outsourcing of the Swat Hotel, formerly known as the Swat Serena Hotel.
He noted that investors actively participated in the meeting and presented a range of suggestions and proposals, reflecting growing confidence in the tourism sector of the province.According to Malik Adeel Iqbal, the auction of the Swat Hotel will take place on June 22. He emphasized that the entire process would be conducted in a transparent and competitive manner, strictly adhering to merit-based principles.
“The selection of investors will be based on experience, financial strength, asset portfolio and other technical criteria to ensure that this historic and strategically important tourism asset is entrusted to a capable organization with proven management expertise,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s tourism policy, he stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was committed to making tourism a key pillar of economic growth. He said efforts were underway to improve infrastructure, accessibility, public facilities and investment opportunities at tourist destinations throughout the province.
“These initiatives are not only helping boost tourism but are also creating employment opportunities and generating new business prospects for local communities,” he added.Referring to the recent Eid-ul-Adha holidays, Malik Adeel Iqbal said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Swat Valley, emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for tourists. He said the arrival of hundreds of thousands of visitors provided a significant boost to the local economy.
