Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan has approved the proposed home hospitality scheme for development in the province’s tourist hotspots to ease the crowding situation in hotels – and to help the local community earn their share from the profits being reaped in the wake of KP’s progressive tourism policies, according to a news source published on November 8.
In its initial phase, the scheme is to be launched in three districts of KP: Chitral, Swat and Mansehra. Moreover, it was revealed that small loans would be offered to local households to construct 500 rooms equipped with the amenities needed by tourists. The estimated cost of these rooms would be to the tune of PKR 200 million, to be distributed on an interest-free loan basis among the chosen households – through the Bank of Khyber.
Reportedly, Prime Minister Imran Khan – during the day-long trip to Swat on Friday – was given a detailed briefing on this development. A department official revealed that the premier was ‘exceedingly pleased with the concept’.
Secretary Tourism and Culture Abid Majeed stated that the project is like ‘Airbnb on a local-scale’, referring to the international homestays and hospitality online marketplace. He was of the view that the initiative had huge growth potential and would serve both locals and tourists.
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