Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority aims to establish Integrated Tourism Zones in the region.
The government has invited expressions of interest (EoI) from interested national and international firms for the development of the first-ever Integrated Tourism Zones (ITZ) in Ganool Mansehra and Mankiyal Swat on public-private partnership.
The project with a cumulative cost of Rs. 12.2 billion is aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and accelerating socio-economic development in the province.
Chief Minister Mahmood Khan directed the relevant authorities to ensure the implementation of aforesaid ITZs projects as per the stipulated timelines and said that it was the “priority of his government” to develop the tourism industry by “improving the existing tourism infrastructure and exploiting the new tourist sites in the province”.
He said that Integrated Tourism Zones not only will provide world-class lodging, restaurants, winter sports and other recreational activities but would also promote various elements of local culture and natural beauties of our scenic sites.
Mahmood Khan stated that the provincial government had taken multiple steps to catalyze the development of sustainable tourism thereby ensuring socio-economic growth of the province.
He reiterated that his government was working under a realistic strategy to benefit from the tourism potential in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and make it the base of economic development and self-sustainability.
The Culture and Tourism Authority (CTA) will have a leading role in materializing the vision of the provincial government.
The ITZ Ganool, covering an area of 60 acres, would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.5 billion having nearby attractions like Saiful Maluk lake, Dudi Patsar lake, Payala lake, Shogran, Siri Pai and Kaghan valley.
Similarly, ITZ Mankiyal would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.9 billion having nearby attractions like Jabba lake, Jarogo Valley, Waterfall Katora lake and Swat valley.
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