Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday transferred administrative control of its 11 rest houses in Naran, Kalam, Swat and other scenic places to Khyber-Pakhunkhwa Tourism Corporation (TCKP).
General Manager of TCKP Sajad Hameed said in a statement that TCKP has prepared a comprehensive operational plan under which the rest houses would be rented to tourists. He said that it would not only generation revenue but would also facilitate the tourists in the region and help improve tourism in the province.
The 11 rest houses include Secretariat Cottage, Retreat House, Chief Secretary House, Old Governor House (Raees Khana) and eight other rest houses which will be opened for private tourists after necessary repairs and rehabilitation work.
Hameed said while talking to journalists that the transfer of rest houses to the TCKP will be completed in three phases. He said that in the first phase, eight rest houses have already been given to TCKP in Galiyat. He said that in the next phase, the KP government would transfer 13 more rest houses to the TCKP.
“Our rates will be less compared to other private rest houses,” Hameed said, “and we will provide a good environment to the tourists at the rest houses.” He said that besides rooms, TCKP is planning to construct playgrounds for children among other facilities. He added that they have so far spent Rs 0.4 million on the rehabilitation of the 9 rest houses, which can earn Rs 3 million of revenue within one month.