Terrorism Effect On Tourism Industry In Pakistan Tourism Essay

Terrorism Effect On Tourism Industry In Pakistan Tourism Essay First of all we must know what is meant by the term Tourism. Mostly the term tourism is taken as the visit and travel to other places then home town or city. The term tour means to visit places whether they are for picnics or for business purposes. Tourism can be defined as to travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes.  [1]   Mostly business purposes are concerned less with the regard of tourism phenomena. People travel mostly for leisure, enjoyment, relaxation and to break the routine of their daily work life. People travel for many reasons that could be For visiting their relatives in other geographical locations For visiting the places of their interests like monuments, forts, architectural buildings, museums etc. For attending or for to witness any events such like Dubai Shopping festivals, concerts of famous singers and actors, Basant in Pakistan and India etc. For research purposes and for collecting data for research on interested topics For religious activities and worship such as Hajj and Umrah in Islam, Guru Nanak Devs festival in Sikhism, etc. For events like New Year, Christmas, Eid, Independence Day, etc. For medical purposes such as for better treatment opportunities, for better environment for health, etc. For higher education and better jobs and business opportunities For exposure and adventurous purposes And there could be so many reasons and purposes for traveling. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.  [2]   Tourism Industry Tourism industry is one of the most important sectors of the nations economy. Tourism industry is based upon the tourism policies made by administration, tourism development programs and projects, investments in the maintenance of the places for tourists, Ministry of tourism and all the factors and elements effecting the process and activity of tourism. In 2008, there were over 922 million international tourist arrivals, with a growth of 1.9% as compared to 2007. In 2009, international tourists arrivals fell to 880 million, representing a worldwide decline of 4% as compared to 2008. The region most affected was Europe with a 6% decline.  [3]   Ranks Country UNWTO Regional Market International tourist arrivals (2009)  [4]   International tourist arrivals (2008)  [5]   International tourist arrivals (2007)  [6]   1 France Europe 74.2million 79.2million 80.9million 2 USA North America 54.9million 57.9million 56million 3 Spain Europe 52.2million 57.2 million 58.7 million 4 china Asia 50.9 million 53 million 54.7 million 5 Italy Europe 43.2 million 42.7 million 43.7 million 6 UK Europe 28 million 30.1 million 30.9 million 7 Turkey Europe 25.5 million 25 million 22.2 million 8 Germany Europe 24.2 million 24.9 million 24.4 million 9 Malaysia Asia 23.6 million 22.1 million 21 million 10 Mexico North America 21.5 million 22.6 million 21.4 million The World Tourism Organization reports the above ten countries as the most visited from 2007 to 2009 by the number of international travelers. By the given table we can see that most of the top visited countries lie in the region of Europe continent. This also shows the importance of the tourism industrial sector importance in the economy of Europe. Germany, France and Italy tourism receipts can be seen in the following table. The table shows the earnings of three developed states of Europe in tourism industry. Country International Tourism Receipts (2009)  [7]   International Tourism Receipts (2008)  [8]   International Tourism Receipts (2007)  [9]   France 48.7billion$ 55.6billion$ 54.3billion$ Italy 40.2billion$ 45.7billion$ 42.7billion$ Germany 34.7billion$ 40billion$ 36billion$ We can see from the above table that how the tourism receipts of three important and developed countries of Europe rise and fall during the period of 2007 to 2009. Country International Tourism Receipts (2009)  [10]   International Tourism Receipts (2008)  [11]   International Tourism Receipts (2007)  [12]   France 38.9billion$ 43.1billion$ 36.7billion$ Italy 27.8billion$ 30.8billion$ 27.3billion$ Germany 80.8billion$ 91billion$ 83.1billion$ The World Tourism Organization reports above data that how much these three states spend on their tourism industry. German tourists are said to be the top spenders in the tourism Industry. Tourism industrial sector has great importance in each and every nations economy because its a great and direct source of generating foreign exchange rate. Pakistans Tourism Industry Pakistan is one of the very few countries which is not only blessed by Cultural Heritage, Old Civilizations, Landscapes, Archaeological Ruins and Historic Monuments but also blessed by almost all kinds of weather and geographical areas. Pakistan is a destination that has so much to offer visitors from outside. By UNESCO World Heritage Site the list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. This list suggests catalogues, names, and conserves sites of outstanding cultural and natural importance to the common heritage of humanity. Pakistan is also one of the states identified as a tourism site for international tourism activity. There are 6 sites identified by UNESCO World Heritage Site within the geographical boundaries of Pakistan as followed Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro, Sindh Buddhist Ruins at Takht-i-Bahi and Neighboring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Taxila, Punjab Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, Punjab Historic Monuments of Thatta, Sindh Rohtas Fort, Punjab  [13]   UNESCO World Heritage Site not only makes the list but also provides funds and support for the maintenance of these sites and to promote the tourism industrial sector of the state. Pakistan besides these 6 sites identified by UNESCO World Heritage Site has much more to offer tourists. Following are the sites other then the above 6 sites. Karakoram Highway through the endless peaks of the Karakoram Mountains Architectural buildings and gardens of former Mughal capital city Lahore The ancient bazaars of Quetta Beautiful beaches and the cosmopolitan streets of Karachi Hill stations and summer resorts like Murree Hiran Minar in Sheikhupura constructed by Emperor Jahangir a monument to Mansraj, one of his pet deer Gurdwara Guru Nanak Temple Nankana Sahab. Mausoleums like Tomb of Jahangir, Tomb of Anarkali, and Khari Shareef etc. Changa Manga a planted forest and a wildlife center in Lahore District, Punjab Cities like Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, etc containing entertainment sites like parks, restaurants, hotels, picnic areas, safari parks, cinemas, theatres, art exhibitions, concerts, dance clubs etc Landscapes like Naraan, Kaghaan, Jheel Saif-ul-Malook, Siri Paaye, K2 mountain, Hunza and Chitral Valley etc And there are many more magnificent places in different areas of the states and is hard to count them and show them all in one list. During 1993, Pakistan received 0.379 million foreign tourists recording an increase of 7.7 per cent compared to previous years. Pakistan has earned Rs. 126 million US dollars in 1993 from foreign tourists indicating an increase of 5.4 per cent compared to 1992.  [14]   Pakistan with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes has attracted 0.7 million tourists to the country. Its almost the double of that a decade ago. Before the Global economic crisis over the world Pakistan received more than 500,000 tourists annually.  [15]   In October 2006, just one year after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, The Guardian (also formerly known as The Manchester Guardian) which is a British national daily newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group, released The top five tourist sites in Pakistan in order to help the countrys tourism industry.  [16]  These sites are as followed Taxila, Punjab City Lahore, Punjab The Karakoram Highway is the highest road in the world, winding through the Karakoram mountain range and connecting to China In the lush Hunza valley, the sleepy village of Karimabad is a tourist oasis. An exhilarating jeep drive from the resort town of Narran lie the still waters and snow-capped mountains of Lake Saif-ul-Malook  [17]   To promote Pakistans unique and various cultural heritages, the Prime Minister launched the Visit Pakistan marketing campaign in 2007. This campaign involved various events throughout the year including fairs and religious festivals, regional sporting events, various arts and craft shows, folk festivals and several openings of historical museums.  [18]   The Tourism industry of Pakistan is growing with very slow speed. It can progress with rapid growth. Because of the boost up in the foreign investment and funding, Pakistan is becoming more capable of building and improving its infrastructure including air networks and facilities of movements of cargo and inter-city travel which are much improved and still improving day by day. Roads like Motor Way and Karakoram highway promoted traveling so much. But still the government has not been able to take the tourism market seriously within Pakistan. There are many reasons for this like Political instability, Crisis situations like Earthquake and Flood, tourist attractions which have not been funded or protected due to the government giving the tourism market a low priority. But I have noticed that besides these problems and instable situations, one of the major reasons in the decline of Tourism industry in Pakistan is the high threat of terrorism attacks and bomb blasts occurrence in Pakist ans major and capital Cities. Terrorism is hitting very hardly on the reputation of Pakistans relation with peace. To understand the phenomena of Terrorism we will now discuss about it and then well check the effects and its influence on the Tourism industrial sector of Pakistan. Terrorism Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion.  [19]  The definitions of terrorism is those violent acts which are intended to create fear and terror among the people, are perpetrated and performed for a religious, political or ideological goals, and its deliberate targets are the innocent civilians. After the incident of 911 collapse of World Trade Centre in 2001 September 11 at New York City, the whole world become crazy of the phenomena of the term Terrorism. Terrorism not only affected the national security measures but also changed the view of peoples trust and relations with each other. Terrorism is the most serious issue of the international relations among the nations. Terrorism created numerous disputes among the different states and people. Mostly the disputes arises among the religious groups and the mostly the religious groups are targeted to Muslims. Although Large numbers of Muslims are against such act of violence and deadly bomb blast s. The Groups which are considered to be responsible for such terrorist activities are mostly considered to be the Muslim group called AL-Qaeda. AL-Qaeda is a militant Islamist group founded sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a fundamentalist Sunni movement calling for global Jihad. It is considered a terrorist organization.  [20]   AL-Qaeda has attacked many innocent civilians and targeted many military locations and offices in various countries, most notably the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. in 2001. Im not suggesting that the AL-Qaeda is the only group which performs the terrorism activities. It could be possible that many terrorism activities were performed by the local groups, by any political party or by any extremist group to achieve or gain the success of their own interests. Thats why from onwards I will use the term Terrorists which is not referred to any specific group but to the people who perform such violence and deadly activities which are intended to create fear and terror among the people to achieve the interests of their own. Recent Attacks of terrorism shows that the new targets of Terrorists are the following Foreigners, tourists, travelers, and Office holders specially of the posts in foreign states Diplomat residences and Diplomats office bearers Hotels and Restaurants which are mostly the centre of attraction of foreigners, tourists and travelers. Foreigner Office bearers in local state Embassies of other states specially the European and American embassies Air network and Air lines such as Flights, private jets, air planes, etc. Sites which are dedicated to tourists and travelers such as Railway stations, air ports, sea ports, etc. Air ports are specially endangered targeted site of terrorists because large number of foreigners uses this facility of transportation. Terrorists are today unstoppable because of their tactic of Suicide attack often called as suicide bombers. The world is so disturbed by such tactic because firstly its hard to stop such person to explode himher self and secondly these suicide bombers are trained and being mind washed to make themselves to explode themselves. Although USA declared the war against terrorism but the truth is that terrorists and terrorism activities are beyond the control of any state or agency. Terrorism Attacks The concept of terrorist attacks are as old as the warfare and the geographical boundaries disputes but mostly the incident of United States, September 11 2001 is considered the starting date of massive attacks of terrorism in nations. Usually when ever we talk about Start of Terrorism or increase in the terrorism attacks, 911 is the incident which people usually recall to their minds. No doubt in it that after the 911 incident the terrorism activities increased with a great boost and almost each and every country of the world became the victim of the Suicidal attacks and Bomb Blasts. Thousands of people lost their lives. Following is the table of international terrorist attacks by death toll.  [21]   Estimate Name Country City Year 2,976 September11, 2001 Attacks United States New York 2001 796 2007 Qahtaniya bombings Iraq Qahtaniya 2007 334 Beslan School Siege Russia Beslan 2004 209 Mumbai train bombings India Mumbai 2006 191 March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings Spain Madrid 2004 136 2007 Karachi bombing Pakistan Karachi 2007 116 Super ferry 14 bombing Philippines 2004 112 2006 Digampathana bombing Sri Lanka Digampathana 2006 100 2008 Kandahar bombing Afghanistan Kandahar 2008 90 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh attacks Egypt Sharm el-Sheikh 2005 74 July 2010 Kampala attacks Uganda Kampala 2010 27+ July 2010 Zahedan bombings Iran Zahedan 2010 6 2009 International Islamic University bombing Pakistan Islamabad 2009 We can see in the above table that why the incident of 911 is considered to be the boost up in the terrorism activities. By the help of death tool Terrorists attacks table we can see that the largest death and loss of lives occurred in the attacks of World Trade Center in 2001. The attacks after 2001 in different cities and states dont even come up to half of the death casualties appeared in 911 attacks. The world policies and Issues of National Security changed overnight after the incident of 911. USA becomes very strict in the immigration policies and also in the approval of Visas. Not only USA but also many developed states like UK, Germany, France, Canada and many European states adopted the strict policies of Visa approval and immigration policies. Terrorism Attacks in Pakistan Pakistan also becomes the victim of terrorist attacks after the 911 incident. Following is the table derived from World Terrorist Attacks by death tool.  [22]   Estimate Name City Year 136 2007 Karachi bombing Karachi 2007 117 28 October 2009 Peshawar bombing Peshawar 2009 110 10 October 2008 Orakzai bombing Orakzai 2008 105 2010 Lakki Marwat suicide bombing Lakki Marwat 2010 104 Mohmand Agency attack Mohmand Agency 2010 98 May 2010 attacks on Ahmadi mosques in Lahore Lahore 2010 72+ March 2010 Lahore bombings Lahore 2010 70 2008 Wah bombing Wah 2008 58 April 2010 Kohat bombings Kohat 2010 56 2008 Ahmedabad bombings Ahmedabad 2008 54 December 2009 Lahore attacks Lahore 2009 54 Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing Islamabad 2008 50 5 April 2010 Peshawar bombings Peshawar 2010 50 July 2010 Lahore bombings Lahore 2010 48 2009 Jamrud mosque bombing Jamrud 2009 47 2008 Parachinar bombing Parachinar 2008 43 2009 Karachi bombing Karachi 2009 38 October 2009 Lahore attacks Lahore 2009 38 December 2009 Rawalpindi attack Rawalpindi 2009 35 November 2009 Rawalpindi bombing Rawalpindi 2009 35 2009 Lahore bombing Lahore 2009 35 September 2008 Peshawar bombing Peshawar 2008 33 December 2009 Dera Ghazi Khan bombing Dera Ghazi Khan 2009 30 February 2010 Khyber Mosque bombing Khyber Agency 2010 25+ February 2010 Karachi bombings Karachi 2010 25 19 April 2010 Peshawar bombing Peshawar 2010 23 2009 Pakistan Army General Headquarters attack Punjab 2009 19 February 2010 Khyber bombing Khyber 2010 16 January 2010 Bajaur bombing Bajaur 2010 12 December 2009 Lower Dir mosque bombing Pakistan Lower Dir 2009 10 February 2010 Lower Dir bombing Lower Dir 2010 8 2008 Danish embassy bombing in Islamabad Islamabad 2008 8 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team Lahore 2009 6 2009 International Islamic University bombing Islamabad 2009 We can see in the table that 7 terrorist attacks occurred in Lahore, 3 terrorist attacks occurred in Capital City Islamabad and 3 terrorist attacks occurred in Karachi, which are not only the major cities of Pakistan but also the centre of Tourists to Pakistan. During the period of 2007 to 2010 the total estimate of death casualties is more then 1660 (Sixteen hundred and sixty) people. The security issue is the big issue in every city of Pakistan especially in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. We can see that large number of Security measures have been taken to prevent such disastrous situations. The terrorists attacks in International Islamic University at Islamabad in 2009 not only terrorized the National Security but also lend great impacts upon the security measures of Educational and other institutions. Many terrorists attacks in Shopping Malls and local Markets raised the question of how to increase the Security measures? Citizens are even more terrified by the Bomb blasts in Hous ing Societies like Iqbal Town, Samanabad and Model Town. The general behavior of citizens of Pakistan is that they are not safe and the measures which are taken for Local and National Security are useless. The security measures at local level have been very much increased with a dramatic change in behaviors of Citizens. Four years earlier citizens wont bother for an unknown car parked in there alleys but now situation is so different. Even kids now notices unknown parked Cars and activities of strangers in their streets or areas. Different people have different opinions about these Terrorism attacks but these Terrorism Attacks have influenced each and every body from young to old, student to worker, Businessman to employee, Citizens to Foreigners. Terrorism effect on Tourism Industry Terrorism Attacks and Terrorists activities has great impact on the Tourism industrial Sector. Terrorism has a great and direct relation with the policies of tourism industry. Terrorism deeply influences the policies of Visa approval and the immigration process policies which plays an important role in the process of tourism activities and movement. We can see that after the 911 incident, USA termed very strict policies in the Visa approval and immigration especially for the citizens of Islamic states and for the Muslims. The strict policies are not only followed by USA but also by many other developed states like Canada, Australia, as well as many European states like Germany, France, Norway, UK, Italy, Denmark and many more. Underdeveloped states like India also followed such strict policies. The Strict Visa approval policies and the immigration policies are made to secure and promote the National Security of the states and nations. Terrorism attacks and terrorism activities influe nces directly the Visa approval and immigration policies. As the state will suffer more terrorism attacks the state will Grant less Visas and Immigration to the foreigners. The state will also Grant less Visas and Immigration to the foreigners and citizens of those states where there exists Great Terrorism Activities and where Terrorists attacks had been occurred. The Activities of Terrorism has negative effect on the grant of Visas and Immigrations. Although today the world became a global village after the inventions of better transportations (like Airplanes, Air Jets, Ships, Electric Trains and Fast cars like Ferrari, Jaguar, and BMW etc) and much improved infrastructures. Better infrastructure dramatically increased the tourists movements in the world but after these terrorists attacks, we can see appearance of decline in the Tourism Industry World wide. There is a great and increasingly decline in tourists arrivals in each year. The major reason for the decline in the Tourism economy is the Terrorism Activities. Terrorism effect on Tourism Industry in Pakistan We can see that large number of Terrorist attacks occurred in the city Lahore which is also a tourist and cultural hub of the Pakistan. Lahore is the city with many architectural buildings, Gardens of Mughal period, Monuments like Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore Fort, Mosques of Mughal Period, Museums, Hotels and other entertainment sectors like Cinemas, Restaurants, and Family Parks etc. After these terrorist attacks Lahore is considered the most dangerous city in Pakistan to Travel. Since 2007 till 2010 there have been 7 terrorists attacks in which more then 355 people are killed. As we have discussed earlier that there had been more then 36 terrorist attacks since 2007 in which more then 1660 death casualties appeared. The estimated deaths could be far more then calculated. After these terrorists attacks the number of tourists are declining each year, especially in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. Various campaigns are formed to attract tourist from around the world and to promote the Tour ism economy of the state but still the number of tourists has been dropping each year constantly. This year it dropped by 6% as compared to the figures of last year data. Its the harsh image, bad reputation of the political system and weak National security measures that is discouraging traveling and tourism economy to promote. Pakistans Minister of Tourism sees the situation very differently and says Things are not good in many parts of the world. There are crime problems. There are slums. There are terrorist problems. Sri Lanka has had the Tamil Tigers for decades and people still go, if you think where you are going should be completely peaceful, you will be constricted in your options. Being a tourist in the 21st Century requires a little courage  [23]   But people dont travel and dont perform tourism activities to show their courage or bravery. The act of Tourism is in itself an activity of both mind and physical Relaxation. According to me how Minister of Tourism can use these lines to promote Tourism economy of the state? Or what kind of excuse it is for decline in Tourism economy? I think its funny that our Minister of Tourism Industry suggests that besides the instable political system, crisis situations like Flood and Earthquakes, and Terrorists Attacks, we should not be afraid to travel to Pakistan. How is it possible that foreigners and tourists change their behavior and thinking like this when citizens of Pakistan are seeking for immigration opportunities and to abandon their Home towns and Birth place. You can see by yourself that people are always cursing Government and politics especially with regarding to the issues of Inflations and Terrorism Activities. Citizens are so terrified to go to mosques for Prayers and even to go to Markets for shopping all because of these Terrorist Attacks and Activities. The World Economic Forum produced the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report in 2009. The report provides a cross-country analysis of the drivers of competitiveness in travel and tourism, providing useful comparative information for making business decisions and additional value to governments wishing to improve their travel and tourism environments.  [24]   Pakistan ranked 113 out of 130 countries on the List of Global countries chart which should be visited and which are the great deal of Tourism activities. Last year Pakistan ranked 111 out of 124 countries, so in reality Pakistans ranking remains stagnant. On the other side Pakistans neighbor India ranked 11th in the Asian region and 62nd in the world overall. Although Pakistan ranked well in price competitiveness in the industry mainly because of low fuel prices, high purchasing power parity, and the extent of effect of taxation. Pakistan also ranked well in the number of heritage and cultural sites, and creative industr