Turkey to support Pakistan in hotel, tourism industry

[Kabira]

The Turkish government will soon initiate a project of skills development in Pakistan aimed at producing skilled workforce for the local industry of hotel and tourism.

The plan to establish a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence for Hospitality and Construction in Pakistan is underway in that regard, said Executive Director National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Dr Nasir Khan.

In an exclusive talk with APP, he said that the centre would be established at the National Skills University in Islamabad under the skills development institution of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency.

Dr Nasir said that all the expenses of the project including hiring of the workforce and carrying out construction work would be managed by the Turkish government.

Under the project, he said, Turkey would support NAVTTC for the development of skills in Pakistani youth.

“It is the first project of its kind in Pakistan launched by Turkey as it has special expertise in the sectors of hospitality and construction in the world,” he added.

The establishment of a modern centre for excellence in hospitality would ensure that 1.5 million employment opportunities are available annually for the skilled workforce in the hotel and tourism industry of Pakistan, he remarked.

According to the NAVTTC data, currently, the country has more than 10,000 hotels including three, four and five stars with more than 50,000 rooms, he added.

The hotel and tourism industry of Pakistan produces employment opportunities for around 1.5 million people, which is 2.5 per cent of the total employment annually produced by the country, said Dr Nasir.

He hoped that the Turkish centre would increase the ratio of employment opportunities in the country.

“The Centre would not only ensure production of trained workforce for development projects of the country like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) but also provide employment opportunities to youth in foreign countries,” said Dr Nasir.

He said the basic aim of the NAVTTC was to prepare a skilled workforce while equipping them with technical education to get jobs in the country and abroad.

The Turkish centre of excellence would be helpful for NAVTTC's ongoing efforts to arm the maximum number of youth with technical training, he added.

He said NAVTTC was making all out efforts for the uplift of technical and professional education, and recognised the need for more reforms in formal education for the same. He said that the world was ahead of Pakistan in such training programmes.

With the cooperation and support of Turkish skills development institutions, we would improve the quality of our own skill development educational institutions, he remarked.

The establishment of the centre is a positive step towards the prime minister's vision of a developed Pakistan, he added.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1506692/turkey-to-support-pakistan-in-hotel-tourism-industry

 

[Kabira]

The plan to establish a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence for Hospitality and Construction in Pakistan is underway in that regard, said Executive Director National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Dr Nasir Khan.

In an exclusive talk with APP, he said that the centre would be established at the National Skills University in Islamabad under the skills development institution of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency.

great

 

[Haris Ali2140]

Good.Much needed cooperation.We should reach out to other Muslim countries like Jordan and also touch South American countries.

 

[SingHee]

Good news, and already seeing evidence from their media.

Skardu: Mountaineers' paradise in Pakistan
Scenic valley, gateway to 8,000-meter-plus peaks in northern Gilgit-Baltistan region
Islamuddin Sajid |20.09.2019

SKARDU, Pakistan

Skardu, a scenic valley with blue water and high mountains, is located at an elevation of over 7,300 feet (2,225 meters) in Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The beauty of the valley is enhanced by its fresh spring water, delicious fruits, the blue water of the Indus River, historical sites, lakes, and pleasant weather, which attract tourists from around the world.

The city of Skardu is the main urban center and headquarters of the Skardu district, a strategic northern region of Pakistan bordering China, Afghanistan, and India.

The valley is known as a major tourism and trekking hub, and a gateway to four peaks towering over 8,000 meters high, attracting tourists, mountaineers, and trekkers from abroad.

Treks to Baltoro glaciers, K2 base camp

According to the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, five of the 14 highest independent peaks in the world over 8,000 meters in height are located in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountains in northern Pakistan, including

K2 -- the second-highest mountain in the world -- Broad peak, Gasherbrum, and Nanga Parbat. Four of these peaks are located in Skardu, while Nanga Parbat lies in the Diamer district of the Himalayas in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The valley remains a hub for global mountaineers from April to October during summer, while winter remains snowy and freezing in the area.

Tourist attractions in summer include Lake Kachura, the Mantokha waterfall, Sarfranga Cold Desert, Ft. Shigar, and the Buddha Rock in Skardu.

The majestic valley also has impressive glaciers in Baltoro, Gyari and Gyong in the Siachen region.

The city of Skardu is located along the bank of Indus River, surrounded by mountains with no greenery and sand dunes. Near the city, the river is wide and still.

It is located a drive of some 25-30 hours from Pakistan's capital Islamabad, while by air it takes less than an hour. Daily flights by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) are offered, weather permitting.

Historic tourist spots

Ft. Shigar is located around 44 kilometers (27 miles) from Skardu on the route to the world's second-highest mountain, K2.

The fort is built on a rock which was a palace of the raja of Shigar around 400 years ago, now transformed to a 20-room guest house for tourists with a hall and a museum of Balti culture.

The Shangri-La resort is another tourist spot in the valley, a unique resort set up on the banks of an artificial lake with shining blue water.



Skardu: Mountaineers' paradise in Pakistan


But hotel and food prices are very high in Skardu during the tourist season in summer.

"Hotels and food are very expensive here as we paid 15,000 rupees [$96] per night for an ordinary room," Wajahat Ali, a tourist from Lahore, told Anadolu Agency.

The valley is often snowbound in winter. Roads in and out of Skardu can be blocked for several days and air travel is the only feasible alternative to reach other parts of the country.

Lake Satpara

Satpara, a beautiful natural lake located at a 2,600-meter altitude and spread over an area of 2.5 km (1.5 mi), is another popular attraction for tourists. The lake is located some 9 km (5.5 mi) north of Skardu.

The government has now built a small dam, which adds to the beauty of the lake.

According to the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority, the Satpara dam produces 17.3 megawatts of hydroelectric supplies to the local city and irrigates 15,536 acres of land. The dam is also a main source of drinking water for Skardu.

Foreign and local tourists visiting the lake enjoy its shining blue water, while many tourists also visit it for fishing as it is an exciting place for trout fishing. But without prior permission from dam authorities, fishing is not allowed.

Fruits main source of income

The Gilgit-Baltistan region is known for its delicious fruits, both fresh and dried. According to Pakistan’s Agriculture Council, the valley produces a variety of fruits including apricots, apples, almonds, pears, cherries, and walnuts.

"Fruit is the main source of income for us, as our area produces large quantities of fresh and dried fruits," Mohammad Ayub, a local resident of Skardu, told Anadolu Agency.

But some people are also earning good money during summer tourist season, he added.

The area is peaceful and local people are known for their hospitality.

Anadolu Agency website

 

[Path-Finder]

why wasn't anything done in the past? by past I mean pre 9/11! I get that there was concern with safety for 15years but what was the excuse before that?

Some investigation is needed in this matter.

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

You have tons of homegrown students doing their undergrad and postgrad in Glion, Les Roches, and
École hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, maybe a new wholehearted effort should be done to retain them or entice them back to support your tourism industry rather than letting them ruin their careers in non hospitality environments like North America or Australia.

 

[PakAlp]

They should invest in Gwadar aswell. Turkey needs to be part of this great project.

Skardu is beautiful. Do you guys know any Pakistani travel company that takes you on a tour to Skardu and GB area?

why wasn't anything in the past? by past I mean pre 9/11! I get that there was concern with safety for 15years but what was the excuse before that?

Some investigation is needed in this matter.

No excuse, just negligence, they should be jailed. If we get involved in politics, be it mosque politics to electoral politics we will realise that sometime certain people in power will never allow you to do good work, because they themselves are lootey and incapable, they wont let somebody else do it and sometimes they are too scared to do good work because then your opponents might copy you and over take you. These people are scums.

Just like you said. How difficult could it have been to organise trips to GB, Skardu and Neelam Valley. Professional travel agents overlooked by Pakistan tourism department. They could have easily hired a few Vans, travelled to skardu, make contacts and maybe do short course taught by Pakistan tourism department. It's not rocket science. Maybe issue special passes to tourism agencies so people can visit hassle free. We have 10 million oversea Pakistanis as tourists but people are scared to go because of safety concerns.

 

[Lincoln]

You have tons of homegrown students doing their undergrad and postgrad in Glion, Les Roches, and
École hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, maybe a new wholehearted effort should be done to retain them or entice them back to support your tourism industry rather than letting them ruin their careers in non hospitality environments like North America or Australia.

The very reason they work is there because they feel these environments are more hospitable than that of Pakistan.

1. Modern environment.
2. Cleaner atmosphere.
3. Better services and incomes.
4. Merit based opportunities.
5. Lots of entertainment in the regions.

What does Pakistan offer? Basically nothing. Just a lot of taxes and nothing in return.