Maritime Tourism in Pakistan
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Maritime Tourism is the new trend in global economic industry. It has contributed about 11% of the world GDP i.e $8.8 trillion. This was estimated to be $1.1 trillion in 2015. The data clearly shows that how much the maritime tourism industry is flourishing. According to a report of world economic forum, maritime tourism would grow at a rate of 3.5% annually. It provides 320 million jobs around the world. According to the statistics of the world tourism organization, every 2 out of 6 people are dependent on maritime industry for earning purposes (Farooq, 2020).Maritime tourism industry majorly deals with water and shores with all its extensions such as hotels, travelling agencies, leisure activities of the tourists and money earned through this all. Orams (1999) defines marine tourism as including " Those recreational activities that involve travel away from one’s place of residence and which have as their host or focus the marine environment ".
Many countries around the world have an economy comprised of marine tourism. A few examples are of; Maldives, Thailand, Singapore etc. Maritime tourism has a contribution of approximately 29% towards the national GDP of Maldives. Maldives has an inspiring success story of establishing an economy based on maritime tourism. In 1960’s UN believed that Maldives couldn’t develop a substantial tourism because of its geographical position. However, with strategic planning and good governance Maldives achieved milestone. In 1972, marine tourism started with only two resorts and 280 beds. The total arrivals of tourists in Maldives in that year was calculated to about 1097. This number surprisingly has increased to 15 lakh per year now with tremendous facilities. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) has declared Maldives as an ideal for maritime tourism. This could be a real motivation to Pakistan. Maldives worked on their maritime tourism through proper policy divided into four master plans. The huge success of first two master plans in 1980’s was achieved through planning and best practices.
Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index report ranked Pakistan at 122nd position out of 140 counties. Despite the facts that Pakistan has a diverse culture and natural attractions, it lags behind. The number of tourists that arrive in Pakistan annually is very less i.e approximately 20 thousand. The tourism contributed about 7% in the GDP of Pakistan. Maritime Tourism is still out of question. Pakistan has an immense potential to develop a smooth economy based on maritime tourism. A 1000 Km long coastline and a vast number of natural resources is really a blessing for a country in economic crisis like Pakistan. The rich biodiversity, serene sandy beaches, muddy cliffs, the world 6th largest mangroves forest in Indus Delta and the migratory birds provide ideal condition for ecotourism attraction across the globe.
Pakistan receives lower number of tourists every year as compare to the other regional states. The main reasons that influences the ecotourism in Pakistan are of security and mobility. Pakistan has suffered a lot due to terrorism over the decades of time. Especially after 9/11, the country has been through a lot of loss. This reduces the number of tourists coming to the country. Karachi and Balochistan are the main areas for the maritime tourism in Pakistan. Both areas are majorly affected by terror attacks. The political instability is also a reason behind the failed policies to establish a proper maritime tourism. In spite of having a coastal highway that connects the country with the marine life, Pakistan hasn’t yet fully utilized this natural gift.
Policies were introduced by the state for ecotourism. The tourism sector in Pakistan was given a separate status in 1989. An act was passed in 1990 namely Pakistan National Tourism policy. The Federal government had given the task to establish a beach development authority. The development of beaches and to provide incentives on the equipment for the water activities were the major aims. The national Maritime Policy (NMP-2002) also emphasizes on the importance of ministries of sports, culture, tourism and youth affairs for this very purpose of promoting maritime tourism. It also elaborates the need of developing a proper infrastructure near the coastline. After the 18th amendment in the constitution, Tourism has become purely a provincial matter. Yet federal has always played part in facilitating maritime tourism by consulting the concerned provinces. The federal government has devised a National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) for this purpose. The collaboration between Sindh and Balochistan governments is needed to devise a long-term policy.
The Sindh tourism policy is anticipating approval since 2014 which covers some of coastal tourism aspects. Though this strategy needs to be revised, but no work is being done to ensure its progress. This delay is being estimated as a result of 18th amendment in the constitution.
The maritime tourism is a tale in itself. The success of story of Maldives maritime tourism and how the country emerged from a thought of impossible to the heights of possibilities shows that Pakistan can also achieve through warm waters. We only have to understand the good governance practices that the countries like Maldives have opted for.
There is an absence of proper mechanism in Pakistan. There is a need to establish the clear road maps, resorts and other activities to attract tourists. The marketing of the plan should also be done to attract people towards the coastal areas of Pakistan.
Many countries around the world have an economy comprised of marine tourism. A few examples are of; Maldives, Thailand, Singapore etc. Maritime tourism has a contribution of approximately 29% towards the national GDP of Maldives. Maldives has an inspiring success story of establishing an economy based on maritime tourism. In 1960’s UN believed that Maldives couldn’t develop a substantial tourism because of its geographical position. However, with strategic planning and good governance Maldives achieved milestone. In 1972, marine tourism started with only two resorts and 280 beds. The total arrivals of tourists in Maldives in that year was calculated to about 1097. This number surprisingly has increased to 15 lakh per year now with tremendous facilities. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) has declared Maldives as an ideal for maritime tourism. This could be a real motivation to Pakistan. Maldives worked on their maritime tourism through proper policy divided into four master plans. The huge success of first two master plans in 1980’s was achieved through planning and best practices.
Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index report ranked Pakistan at 122nd position out of 140 counties. Despite the facts that Pakistan has a diverse culture and natural attractions, it lags behind. The number of tourists that arrive in Pakistan annually is very less i.e approximately 20 thousand. The tourism contributed about 7% in the GDP of Pakistan. Maritime Tourism is still out of question. Pakistan has an immense potential to develop a smooth economy based on maritime tourism. A 1000 Km long coastline and a vast number of natural resources is really a blessing for a country in economic crisis like Pakistan. The rich biodiversity, serene sandy beaches, muddy cliffs, the world 6th largest mangroves forest in Indus Delta and the migratory birds provide ideal condition for ecotourism attraction across the globe.
Pakistan receives lower number of tourists every year as compare to the other regional states. The main reasons that influences the ecotourism in Pakistan are of security and mobility. Pakistan has suffered a lot due to terrorism over the decades of time. Especially after 9/11, the country has been through a lot of loss. This reduces the number of tourists coming to the country. Karachi and Balochistan are the main areas for the maritime tourism in Pakistan. Both areas are majorly affected by terror attacks. The political instability is also a reason behind the failed policies to establish a proper maritime tourism. In spite of having a coastal highway that connects the country with the marine life, Pakistan hasn’t yet fully utilized this natural gift.
Policies were introduced by the state for ecotourism. The tourism sector in Pakistan was given a separate status in 1989. An act was passed in 1990 namely Pakistan National Tourism policy. The Federal government had given the task to establish a beach development authority. The development of beaches and to provide incentives on the equipment for the water activities were the major aims. The national Maritime Policy (NMP-2002) also emphasizes on the importance of ministries of sports, culture, tourism and youth affairs for this very purpose of promoting maritime tourism. It also elaborates the need of developing a proper infrastructure near the coastline. After the 18th amendment in the constitution, Tourism has become purely a provincial matter. Yet federal has always played part in facilitating maritime tourism by consulting the concerned provinces. The federal government has devised a National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) for this purpose. The collaboration between Sindh and Balochistan governments is needed to devise a long-term policy.
The Sindh tourism policy is anticipating approval since 2014 which covers some of coastal tourism aspects. Though this strategy needs to be revised, but no work is being done to ensure its progress. This delay is being estimated as a result of 18th amendment in the constitution.
The maritime tourism is a tale in itself. The success of story of Maldives maritime tourism and how the country emerged from a thought of impossible to the heights of possibilities shows that Pakistan can also achieve through warm waters. We only have to understand the good governance practices that the countries like Maldives have opted for.
There is an absence of proper mechanism in Pakistan. There is a need to establish the clear road maps, resorts and other activities to attract tourists. The marketing of the plan should also be done to attract people towards the coastal areas of Pakistan.
Author:
Miss Esham Farooq, is working as an intern at RCIMLP. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in International Relation from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
RCIMLP
Research Center For International Maritime Law & Practice
