Introduction to digital tourism
Holding a map in your hand, stepping out of the house, or looking for a tourist guide is everything digital tourism is not about. All it requires is for you to have a cellphone, an active bank account, and some bank balance to start an itinerary. Tourism now employs digital support to smooth over the process. Moreover, Pakistan is blessed with some of the tourist-friendly destinations in the world. Easy to capture and share its scenic beauty across social media platforms.
Digital tourism rendering E-services
Alternatively, services vary from recommending accommodation facilities to having an installed app that serves as a tour guide. Digital tourism also involves creating a database of memories. You can travel back to the good old days once you get back home.
Similarly, it has become easy to navigate through travel destinations from the comfort of your home. Tourism sites or apps make use of gadgets to help uncover an amazing destination right away. This calls for a need to reintroduce the world to the tourism industry of Pakistan. Introducing Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) is key to globalize tourism in the country and help people make an informed decision.
Tourism and Economic Growth
Furthermore, tourism is a big differentiator in inviting foreign reserves in the country. In 2019, Travel and tourism were estimated to contribute $2,893 billion to global GDP, cites Statista, a notable digital tourism website.
Additionally, 165 million people have access to mobile phones. And the 3G/4G user crosses 70 million in Pakistan. The aforementioned Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s statistics reflect the need for digital communication in the country.
No Objection Caertificate
Maqsoodul Mulk, President of Pakistan Association of Tourism Operators, briefed APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) that digital tourism embodies tremendous revenue potential. However, If industry experts are taken aboard and communication infrastructure is maintained, revenue goals can be realized.
Also, he apprised of Government’s decision towards ending NOC (No objection Certificate). He claimed that the decision followed an increase in domestic and international tourists. The government has supported the cause by initiating an online visa service for 175 countries. Visa-on-arrival initiative for 50 countries is also of benefit to the local tourism industry, says the president.
Tourist destinations in Pakistan
In addition to this, Syed Intikhab Alam, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation told APP that digital ecotourism in the northern areas of Pakistan can generate billions of dollars in return on investment. The outlook of the Local business industry and unemployment will further improve as a result, he added. He showed confidence in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat valley, Naran, Kaghan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and a lot more regions in the country to forward the economy.
Consequently, he stated how it was high time for Pakistan to present its destinations before the world through digital means. Pakistan is rich in scenic beauty and diversity. Be it Natural tourist resorts from Karachi to Chitral and Gwadar to Khunjerab, lofty mountain of K2 in the north, or deserts of Tharparkar and Cholistan in the South.
Realizing the Existing Potential
Thus, this reflects inbuild potential in the economy to attract domestic and foreign tourists, adventurers, voyagers, mountaineers, and archaeologists to the country. Rai Taimoor Khan, Punjab Minister for Youth Affair, Sports, Archaeology, and Tourism supported the narrative.
The minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government prioritizes social media as a tool to advertise the scenic beauty of the region. To capture and present the rich heritage, vloggers and bloggers will be hired across the province
Public-private partnerships
Apart from this, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Prof. Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani told APP goals will be met through public-private partnerships. She shared her experience of visiting Europe in the late 70s and talked about itinerary via online means. She said that the same could be provided for foreign tourists visiting the country.
Moreover, today is the era of digital tourism. Technological advancements are transforming the travel industry in developing countries like Pakistan where negative perceptions and opinions could be changed through effective and responsible digital media strategies,” Manzoorul Haq, Foreign Ambassador of Pakistan told APP.
Digital Tourism amid pandemic
Conclusively, the Foreign Ambassador of Pakistan said that since the developing economies shift to digital means rather than print media. It is high time to make use of all the information and technology resources to promote digital tourism in Pakistan.
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