The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has transferred 15 rest houses to the KP Tourism Corporation on trial basis for a period of one year for which the later organised a media briefing to share its operational plan with journalists.
“A milestone has been achieved in the Tourism Sector, which has suffered immensely due to many manmade and natural calamities over the last few years. The provincial Government of KP has reposed trust in TCKP by transferring 15 rest houses in Galliat, namely, Retreat House, Karnak House Nathiagali, Inspection Bungalow Chand View- Murree Hills and TCKP Resthouse Thandiyani, Additional Cottage Nathiagali, Vendia House Nathiagali, Pines Resthouse Nathiagali, Forest Cottage Nathiagali, Forest Resthouse Dungagali, Forest Rest house Barian, European Cottage 29 & 30 Nathiagali and Raees Khana Nathiagali to boost tourism,” said an official.
“Among the rest houses 11 are owned by the Construction and Works Department and four belong to the Environment Department. Previously these rest houses were only accessible to the employees of those departments and not to the general public, who were facing immense problems and were being exploited by the Private hotels due to overcharging especially in the peak seasons,” stated the TCKP General Manager Administration & Properties Sajjad Hameed. He further said that the rest houses will be operational from Eid ul Fitr on market rental rates.
Shedding light on the plan the GM A & P said that “The maximum booking period will be seven days so as to give an opportunity to maximum number of public unlike previously when they would be booked for larger duration by specific people only.”
The Properties Wing headed by the GM A & P of TCKP will be responsible for announcing booking charges for peak season, concessional booking charges for half and off-season etc. Main booking office will be established at the TCKP HQ’s Office Peshawar. Bookings will also be made at TCKP’s TICs at Peshawar, Abbottabad, Donga Gali, Islamabad etc. on confirmation from HQ Office and also from selected tour operating agencies. Initially Provisional bookings will be made and the same will be confirmed after full payment.
During a question about the existing staff it was assured that they will remain intact. All the existing staff of these rest houses will work under the supervision of Tourism Department/TCKP but will be given two weeks training by PAITHOM in hospitality hotel management etc for better tourist facilitation.
Almost all these rest houses are presently deficit run units and through this exercise the provincial government of KP will generate income relieving it of the annual recurring expenses worth millions of rupees. A benefit of this plan will be the increased flow of tourists who will be adjusted in the accommodation starved Galyat Region.