To increase tourism in the KPK, the provincial government has finalized the draft of a new tourism law whereby all tourism bodies and corporations will be merged to form a new tourism and culture authority in the province which will then be responsible for promoting tourism, maintain historical sites, regulate tourist product, activity and service providers apart from controlling the tourism police force.
Meanwhile, the future of tourism directorate’s employees will be decided by a scrutiny committee by reviewing their performance. The board will primarily create a five-year strategy for the tourism body of the province.
Moreover, the law envisions the creation of the K-P Culture and Tourism Authority with the provincial minister for tourism as the chairman and a director-general to run day-to-day affairs. The authority will merge all tourism, departments and institutions apart from controlling all their assets — particularly those operated by the K-P Tourism Cooperation.
The government shall create a surplus pool in the establishment department to accommodate excess employees of the directorate until their retirement. If they continue working against their existing cadres or posts, they shall continue availing their perks and privileges.
The tourism authority will primarily work to promote, preserve and revive the culture, heritage, tradition, and values of the province through a host of efforts including hosting festivals and other tourism-related projects.
The authority shall also formulate a guideline, prescribe measures for sustainable tourism in the province and also shall work to regulate tourism products and services.
Apart from maintaining heritage sites, the body will also be responsible for preserving forests, wildlife, and biodiversity in the integrated tourism zones.
Furthermore, the body will be responsible for raising and maintaining a special tourism police wing. These special police officers — which could be exclusively recruited — will facilitate tourists, impart information about tourist destinations, manage tourist transportation system, legal assistance and provide security in designated tourist areas. They will have the power to arrest offenders.
The authority will also register, and license hotels, tour operators, tourism activity providers in the province to ensure facilities follow a particular operating code and standard in the tourism zones.
The authority will also have the power to acquire lands for developing resorts in tourism zones, skiing facilities, hotels and tourism-related activities while the board shall decide on any project.
