Potential Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Tourism Industry of Pakistan: A Review

Year 2020, Volume: 19 Issue: COVID-19 Special Issue, 601 - 611, 31.10.2020

Lala Rukh Farukh Khan Nafees Mohammad

https://doi.org/10.21547/jss.740036

Cited By: 2

Abstract

In this article an attempt has been made to review the historic trends in foreign and domestic tourism in Pakistan with the aim to calculate expected loss due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose grass domestic product (GDP) growth in relation to tourism activities and COVID-19 cases were analyzed. This review revealed that tourist activities in Pakistan are growing with high level of fluctuations. After a spill of war on terrorism, Pakistan re-initiated domestic tourism 2009. The 2010 flood destroyed the road network and tourism was waned again. In 2011 tourism department re-framed tourist activities again. As per estimate, during 2012-19, Pakistan invested more than 90 billion of rupees on motorways, hotels, parks and archaeological sites and was looking forward toward 2020 summer season for some betterment in tourism, but COVID-19 appeared on the world horizon and all sorts of economic activities, including tourism were brought to zero. During 1994-2019 tourism contributed 5.7 to 7.1 % to the gross domestic products (GDP) of Pakistan. The loss is equivalent to US$ 20.18 billion. Pakistan will suffer for another few years. Even if the vaccine for COVID-19 arrives in the market, the loss will be irreparable. We have to learn survival in the presence of coronavirus, and prepare standard operating procedure (SOPs) for each business including tourism.

Keywords

COVID-19, Domestic Tourism, War Against Terror, Foreign Tourists, Tourism Industry, Economic Loss

Supporting Institution

University of Peshawar

Project Number

00000

Thanks

Respected editor This paper is in response of the present pandemic of COVID-19. It is part of routine academic activities and was not a funded study. It is prepare for the purpose to share information and experiences from Pakistan with other part of the world with the aim to handle the ongoing COVID-19 hazard effectively. Pakistan is in the state of lockdown as preventive measures. It is important to share it with other developing countries with the idea to learn from the experience of each other. If you point out any deficiency, I am here to provide that information. Besides, if required I am willing to re-visit the manuscript for necessary correction. I hope that the article will be considered for further processing. With regards Yours Sincerely Dr. M. Nafees Professor, University of Peshawar

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