Tourism --- “An industry without chimney”

In this world we are fascinated by different things at different times. Everyone has interest in everything, for instance some would want to be a doctor, some an architects, while others engineer and so on. But people choose only the one profession which they think is best for him or her and suits their individual want. This is what we call having an aim or goal in life, where everyone has something in there mind to do or become when they are grown up. So it is important for all of us to have an aim in life. Everyone in this world wants to reach his or her aim as soon as possible, which is of course not before university.

“We chose this subject because we did not had any other option”

This was the reply by some of the undergrad students who enrolled themselves in “Tourism management” module while studying at a local university in Pakistan, perhaps unaware of what the worlds 2^nd largest industry is like and for a simple reason that this subject was never taught in the history of that university or any institute before, I thought to spare them and enrich them with the knowledge of an industry that contributes 10% in the worlds GDP, with a turnover of almost 50 trillion in the last year according to United Nations World Tourism Organization report. Not only that but the industry creates 220 billion direct jobs globally and each job generates on average 1.5 indirect jobs for an overall total of 550 million tourism related jobs world wide, thus creating more wealth and jobs then even automobiles, steel and electronics combined.

Tourism has the power to influence cultural change, exposing a culture which is rich and holds a history to tourists may help conserve the culture. Social contacts between tourists and local people may result in mutual appreciation, changing perceptions, tolerance, awareness, learning, family bonding respect, and liking. Residents are educated about the outside world without leaving their homes, while their visitors significantly learn about a distinctive culture. Local communities are benefited through contribution by tourism to the improvement of the social infrastructure like schools, libraries, health care institutions, internet cafes, and so on. Besides, if local culture is the base for attracting tourists to the region, it helps to preserve the local traditions and handicrafts which perhaps were on the verge of the extinction. The point is to promote tourism in the region so that it would both give incomes and create respect for the local tradition and culture

In recent times, tourism has emerged as one of the largest and dynamically developing sectors of external economic activities most of the developed countries in the world rely on tourism as one of the major source of income and thus has greater influence on GDP. Its high growth and development rates, considerable volumes of foreign currency inflows, infrastructure development, and introduction of new management and educational experience actively affect various sectors of economy, which positively contribute to the social and economic development of the country as a whole. Most highly developed western countries, such as Switzerland, Austria, and France have gained fare amount of their social and economic welfare on profits from tourism. All considered, tourism’s actual and potential economic impact is astounding. Many people emphasize the positive aspects of tourism as a source of foreign exchange, a way to balance foreign trade.

Having said all of the above, don’t we realize how resourceful Pakistan is if only this industry is given attention in its true manner, under the current situation where terrorism has brutally disrupted our image, natural disaster have swollen half the country, inflation is at its highest, poverty is growing with every minute passing by, where power cuts are formidable, an initiative on the development in tourism sector can easily set us on the international stage as a positive and peaceful destination. But to do so we all need to work selflessly and sincerely, but is the Nation ready to take this challenge? I leave it to the students, the educators, the policy makers, the readers, to the youth and to the nation.