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Pakistan’s tourism sector provides a number of opportunities for tourists to explore the beautiful landscape, and a number of colourful festivals as well. Pakistan’s latest tourism push comes at a time when the hospitality industry is also closely coordinating with it. While the coronavirus pandemic has dampened tourism worldwide, in Pakistan it is going strong. After a little delay, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has allowed the most-awaited Desert Jeep Rally on the 175-km CPEC route to Zhob-Balochistan. Let’s now explore the KP desert jeep rally 2021 and what it entails for the people and tourists.
All About KP Desert Jeep Rally 2021 On CPEC Route
According to the official statement, the desert rally will start on March 26th and end on the 28th. With consideration to the rising coronavirus cases, all participants are officially required to submit a negative coronavirus test result.
Moreover, only two people will be allowed to sit in a vehicle at the same time, and not more than 50 people can gather around the venue, at one time. All participants as well as visitors are required to be wearing a mask at all times, and also carry hand sanitizers. The government has also warned of strict consequences, adding the event will be cancelled, if SOPs are violated. More than 100 racers will take part in this challenge and embrace one of the world’s toughest routes in different categories of the rally.
This is not the first jeep rally being organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government. Earlier in February, the KP Government organized the Indus Water Cross Jeep Rally 2021 at the Indus River at Hund point in Swabi district. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KP-CTA), with the support of Sports, Tourism, Archaeology, Culture, Museums and Youth Affairs Department and the Frontier 4×4 Club, a group of jeep enthusiasts. Secretary Tourism Department Muhammad Abid Majeed was the chief guest on the occasion.
Over 60 jeep racers, including women drivers, participated in the race.
Pakistan’s Love For Annual Jeep Rally Event
Cholistan Desert Rally started back in 2005 and has since grown in leaps and bounds. Since then, 16 installations of the jeep rally have so far taken place. The event portrays a positive and softer image of Pakistan, internationally with participation by foreign drivers and aims to highlight the real beauty of south Punjab’s landscape. Besides promoting tourism, such events also enhance the livelihood of the locals.
This annual event is held in the heart of Cholistan desert in a bid to show the world the region’s history and rich culture and open this area as a winter tourist destination. This rally covers three districts of Punjab, including Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur. It is divided into three different categories – Stock, Prepared, and Women’s categories. Stock and Prepared categories are further divided into four categories, A, B, C, and D, and winners are announced for each.
Last year, the Cholistan Jeep Rally took place just before the coronavirus pandemic. This year, there were serious concerns about arranging the event. However, authorities have assured that there will be no issues as long as all the SOPs are properly followed.
Earlier this month, Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, said Pakistan is an ideal spot for adventure tourism in the world. He made the comments during a three-day long Mega Islamabad Tourism Festival in which adventure sports activities such as paragliding were introduced for people. A number of ski resorts have also been set up in the northern regions of the country, to cater to provide avenues for winter sports in Pakistan.
The second Swat Marathon was held on March 8. This is an annual winter sports event in Malam Jabba aimed at promoting adventure tourism in the scenic Swat Valley. This year, the event was jointly organized by Malam Jabba Ski Resort and Pearl Continental Hotel, and was attended by more than 300 athletes of different ages. Many foreign athletes were also present at the event. Last year, more than 200 athletes participated in the event.
2021 is going to be an exciting year for Pakistan’s tourism industry as a lot of preparations have already begun. You will see innovative tourism campaigns, all aimed at attracting both local and international tourists.
What are your plans for this year’s holiday season? Write to us at blog@zameen.com. Also, keep checking Pakistan’s largest property blog, Zameen Blog, for all the latest information on Pakistan.
