Coronavirus affecting tourism.

Byline: AHMAD NADEEM - Islamabad

I would like to shed some light on Pakistan's domestic tourism industry. After the extensive four-decade battle against terrorism in Pakistan, domestic tourism industry besides other industries restores its breath in a country. Majority countries who declared Pakistan as a terrorist state are now declaring Pakistan as the best holiday destination for 2019. Even Pakistan topped Forbes and Conde Nast Traveller's list of best holiday destinations for 2020.

The stable security situation, road improvements (extension of KKH and motorways under CPEC project), and intense promotional campaigns at national and international levels (by involving famous vloggers and bloggers and social media activists) contributed constructively to the growth in tourism. However, visit of the royal couple Prince William and Kate Middleton (UK), the maiden visit of the Buddhist Monks, and visit of thousands of Sikh pilgrims to Nankana Sahib birthplace through Kartarpur Corridor on his 550th anniversary attracted the international media attention. After the announcement of online visa facilities, millions of tourists including domestic tourists visited different places of Pakistan. Even Balochistan and Waziristan received special attention of worldwide famous vloggers and bloggers.

Unfortunately by the end of Jan 2020, coronavirus pandemic changed the situation of the entire world. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has alerted that 'the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a loss of $300-500 billion in tourism receipts globally'. Focus...