Huts and motels would be built at different tourist spots in Karachi, Hyderabad, Benazirabad and Larkana so that the Tourism Department can increase its earnings. This was decided at a meeting of the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation on Monday, presided over by provincial Tourism Minister Ayaz Soomro. Tourism Secretary Dilawar Mangi and other officers of the department were present on the occasion.
“After the 18th Amendment, the Tourism Ministry has come under the control of the provincial government and this would prove to be extremely beneficial for the province as in the past, Sindh was neglected as far as tourism is concerned,” Soomro told the officers.
He said that the problems faced by travel agents would be heard and addressed on priority basis. The minister was briefed that hotels, which have failed to clear their dues, have been sent notices and a crackdown against defaulters would be carried out. The Tourism Department will also issue licences to travel agencies, which would have to provide tourists with standard services that include transportation, tour guide etc. Soomro also spoke about the upcoming budget and efforts to promote tourism.
He also said that 600 sites are available in the province that could be utilised to boost the tourism sector. He said that the Sindh government is working on projects such as the Gorakh Hill Station and Keenghar Lake and renovating guest houses in Sehwan. “Huts will be built iat n Hawkesbay to attract visitors. The condition of the guest houses at Keenjhar is pathetic but these problems will be solved soon as possible,” he added.
