PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority has issued a request for Expressions of Interest (EoI) from interested national and international parties for the creation of first-ever Integrated Tourism Zones (ITZ) in Ganool in Mansehra, and Mankiyal in Swat, through public-private partnership.
The project, with a total investment of Rs. 12.2 billion, aims to advance environmentally-responsible tourism and speed up the socioeconomic development of the province. The development of the tourism industry by “improving the existing tourism infrastructure and utilizing the new tourist sites in the province” is “the priority of his government,” according to Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, who directed the relevant authorities to ensure the implementation of the aforesaid ITZs projects as per the specified timelines.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government
According to him, Integrated Tourism Zones will not only offer top-notch accommodations, dining options, winter sports, and other leisure activities, but they will also work to promote various aspects of local culture and the natural splendor of our scenic locations.
According to Mahmood Khan, the provincial government has taken numerous measures to encourage the growth of sustainable tourism and ensure the socioeconomic development of the province.
He emphasized that his government was implementing a practical plan to take advantage of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s tourism potential and turn it into the core element of economic development and self-sustainability.
In order to realize the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government’s vision, the Culture and Tourism Authority (CTA) will play a key role with nearby attractions like Saiful Maluk Lake, Dudi Patsar Lake, Payala Lake, Shogran, Siri Pai, and Kaghan Valley, the 60-acre ITZ Ganool, which would be developed for an estimated cost of Rs. 5.5 billion, would be a popular tourist destination.
Similar to that, ITZ Mankiyal, which is expected to cost Rs. 2.9 billion to develop, will be close to places like Jabba Lake, Jarogo Valley, Waterfall Katora Lake, and Swat Valley. — APP
