ProPoor Tourism
• Introduction
• Rationale
• Objectives
• Program
Introduction
The earthquake area has the potential to draw a large number of visitors who may be motivated by sympathy, at the same time to savour the stunning scenic beauty and unique cultural and heritage assets – all of which could be utilized effectively for economic growth & development, job creation, social cohesion and fostering pride and ownership in order to achieve long term rehabilitation of affected communities.
The EARTHQUAKE AREA HERITAGE RETREATS (EAHR) is designed as community-based sustainable tourism initiative in order to maximize the heritage potential of the area for poverty alleviation and community empowerment including marginalized vulnerable groups and women.
The programme is based on experience gained by the Heritage Foundation while working in the Siran Valley, Mansehra District, NWFP, since the earthquake of 8 October 2005. Due to close community interaction and study of historic assets, tangible and intangible heritage of the area we believe it is possible to maximize the potential that exists in the area for the benefit of the affected communities.
This EAHR proposal has been developed by Heritage Foundation in order to promote sustainable, community-based, green and pro-poor tourism among rural communities in Northern Pakistan affected by the 8 October 2005 Earthquake.
Besides reviewing the various drawbacks and challenges that exist in the area, this proposal works out strategies for attracting tourism, as a start, in the Siran Valley.
Rationale
It is evident that the earthquake areas has great potential to draw a large number of visitors who may be motivated due to sympathy and humanitarian considerations, at the same time are able to savour stunning scenic beauty and unique cultural and heritage assets that exist in the area. These attractions can be utilized effectively for economic growth & development, social cohesion and fostering pride and ownership in order to achieve long-term rehabilitation of affected communities. Some important factors include:
· Utilizing unique heritage and cultural traditions as tourists’ attractions and assisting in their safeguarding for continuing future appeal.
· Engaging affected communities in productive activities.
· Fostering pride among the local people towards their cultural heritage and traditions.
· Providing an opportunity to local people of different backgrounds and income levels in a number of hospitality industry-related activities.
· Assisting rural economies to become more liberalized.
· Supporting aspects related to regeneration of forestry.
· Environmental conservation and protection of bio-diversity for future tourist maximization.
Obectives
Identification and conservation of tangible and natural heritage sites as well as intangible heritage and crafts that are gravely threatened and endangered due to the earthquake is among major objectives of the proposal.
The objectives are as follows:
· To restore pride and deal with the earthquake trauma through heritage safeguarding efforts
· To work towards the MDG goal of poverty reduction through heritage preservation, environmental rehabilitation and sensitive tourism activities.
· To provide direct and varied channels and opportunities to the community for their well being and socio-economic development.
Programme
The first site for attracting visitors with the objective of familiarizing corporate executives with the conditions in the area has been developed at the base camp, karavanPakistan Research Institute at Karavanabad, Chattar. A small retreat has been developed among the pine forests consisting of tent accommodation with attached well-finished bathrooms. The focus is on providing clean and comfortable accommodation to tourists along with training courses in team building. The initial concept for team building courses was developed in collaboration with Mr. Tahir Khan. The training programme is being finalized by Mr. Sohail Mirza and Ms. Nilofur Khan.
Photographs of the retreat in the pine forest. Each tent is on its stone platform with its own bathroom.