ISLAMABAD, Mar 27: Director General of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, Muhammad Usman Mehsud, on Friday highlighted a remarkable increase in tourist activity during Eid-ul-Fitr, as more than 262,000 visitors explored scenic destinations across the province, with Swat Valley remaining the leading attraction and drawing 186,000
tourists.
Talking to a local news channel, DG said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed a massive tourism boom during the Eid holidays, with scenic destinations across the province drawing unprecedented crowds despite travel challenges. Swat Valley remained the top destination, followed by Galiyat and Chitral, as families and tourists flocked to enjoy the festive break in cooler, picturesque areas.
They credited the surge to proactive government measures, including the establishment of helplines, improved visitor facilitation and efforts to keep hotel accommodation and car rental rates affordable, making travel more accessible for a wider number of people during the holidays, he added.
He further mentioned that interestingly, the record influx came even as the country faced a petrol crisis, highlighting the strong public enthusiasm for travel, as thousands continued to pour into tourist hotspots, turning the three days of Eid into one of the busiest periods for tourism in the province.
Responding to a query, he said that under the directives of the Chief Minister, the government has placed special focus on improving tourism-related road infrastructure to ensure safer and smoother access to key destinations across the province.
He added that efforts are also underway to boost economic opportunities for local communities by promoting tourism destinations and developing themed parks to attract a wider range of visitors and extend their stay.
He further noted that modern facilitation measures are being introduced, including the installation of QR codes at hotel receptions to provide tourists with easy access to information, services, and assistance during their visit.
He added that police and district administrations maintained continuous monitoring of tourist activities throughout the holiday period, while Tourism Police personnel had their leaves canceled to ensure smooth operations and provide assistance to visitors during Eid.
He said the large influx of tourists during Eid-ul-Fitr reflects the growing popularity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a travel destination, adding that improved facilities and strengthened security measures are playing a key role in sustaining this upward trend.
