PESHAWAR, Oct 10: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has begun work on a tourism policy with the USAID assistance to revive and boost tourism in the province.

This was stated by tourism secretary Jamaluddin Shah during a meeting at Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a news release issued by Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Tourism minister Syed Aqil Shah chaired the meeting, which discussed technical assistance for the tourism department for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tourism policy.

The meeting was attended by Taimur Khan and Aftab Rana from USAID, and other private consultants.

The minister the tourism department was very keen to promote the softer image of the province abroad and was going all-out for the purpose.

The tourism secretary said after the enactment of 18th Amendment, a need arose to develop a tourism policy for the province.

He said the tourism policy made in 1990s was unable to meet today’s needs and therefore, the department with the help of USAID had begun work on it.

“New tourism policy will be finalised in the next couple of months,” he said.

In a presentation, Mr Taimur highlighted support and cooperation of USAID on rebuilding of Swat hotels and schools destroyed by militancy.

He said the proposed tourism policy would cover revision of laws, tourism policy and the public-private partnership.Aftab Rana said tourism policy’s development had been divided into 14 categories and it would be made in such a way that all stakeholders would own it.

The minister highlighted importance of tourist attractions. He said Swabi was a mecca for Korean Buddhists and therefore, TCKP was researching on ways and means to boost tourism. Mr Rana said his department would welcome assistance from USAID to rebuild Malam Jabba Ski Resort destroyed by militancy.