Laws of Tourism in Pakistan are discusses in it.

1. Laws of
Tourism in
Pakistan
HASNAIN ALI

2. Introduction:
Tourism in Pakistan is a growing industry, contributing
to job creation, revenue generation, and cultural
exchange.
From the mighty stretches of the Karakorams in the
North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the
South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and
nature.
Tourism has evolved because of increased interest in
vacation, business, sports, health, religion, culture, and
education travel. Pakistan is home to several historical,
religious, archaeological, and adventurous attractions
Tourism's objective is to visit a place without having an
impact on the people who live there or the
environment while also enhancing the local
community's economy and social structure.
Condé Nast Traveller ranked
Pakistan The Best Holiday
Destination for 2020 and also
declared it the third-highest
potential adventure destination
in the world for 2020. As
security in the country
improves, tourism increases;
in two years, it has increased
by more than 300%.

3. History of Tourism Law in Pakistan:

4.  Since independence from the British Rule in 1947, Pakistan had adopted numerous legal assistances
from various legal documents ( existed at that time in the shape of Acts and Rules) originated in UK.
 The formation of official body of tourism i.e. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation ( hereafter
PTDC was developed) in 1970 by the government of Pakistan, addressing the issues and challenges
of emerging tourism industry.
 The decade of (1970-1980) attracted the government and private sector consideration towards the
development of tourism laws in the country such as Tourist Guide Act 1976, Hotel and Restaurant
Act 1976.
 Council of Common Interests (CCI) was a very good platform to address the legal issues through
joint provincial-federal coordination.
 Formation of separate provincial tourism entities i.e. Tourism Development Corporation
Punjab(TDCP), Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(TCKP) and Sindh Tourism Development
Corporation(STDC) could be considered as a good example of that tenure

5. Key Laws and Regulations:
PAKISTAN TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
(PTDC) ORDINANCE, 1976
Objectives:
•To conduct promotional programs, activities and
events for attracting tourists.
•To create awareness of tourism through private
sector, Pakistan Missions abroad, PIA offices, tour
operators, travel agents and hoteliers.
•Regulates the entry of tourists into Pakistan
and outlines the requirements for obtaining
visas.
ANTIQUITIES ACT, 1975:
Objectives:
•Protection and conservation of historical and
cultural artifacts and sites.
•Prevents unauthorized excavation, export, and
trade of antiquities.
•No person shall make on any land or
exploration for archaeological purposes, or
unearth or attempt to unearth or make any
digging in areas of historical interest.

6. HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ACT,
1976:
PAKISTAN ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION ACT, 199
•Ensures environmentally sustainable
tourism.
•Regulates activities that might harm the
environment, such as waste disposal and
pollution and handles the hazardous
matter.
•It also defines environmental offences and
prescribes penalties for those offences.
•It is the law which deals with the registration
and control of the hotels and restaurants.
•Rules and regulations set out clear
expectations for conduct around the property
during a guest's stay.
•Sets standards for hotels and restaurants
regarding facilities, hygiene, and services.
Golden Rule: If you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do
the same.

7. A Bill to
promote travel
and tourism in
the Punjab
•promote and develop travel and tourism for local and foreign travelers
and tourists in collaboration with concerned Departments of the
Government;
•promote eco-tourism and develop environment-friendly tourist sites
without adversely affecting ecosystem in collaboration with
Environmental Protection Department of the Government;
•frame regulations for mega development and housing projects
•provide such facilities at the religious sites as may be required for
promotion of religious tourism in collaboration with the Auqaf and
Religious Affairs Department of the Government;
•provide facilities and take measures for protection of travelers and
tourists
•maintain a website for travelers and tourists, containing necessary
information and electronically available services enabling the travelers
and tourists to give their feedback
It is necessary to make provisions
for tourism, for promotion of
heritage, landscape and culture
of the Punjab by establishing
Punjab Tourism, Culture and
Heritage Authority

8. Tourism and Islamic Jurisprudence
Travelling and touring in Islam has been appreciated in the Holy Qurān and Hadīth to a great
extent. Some prerequisite conditions and legal responsibilities both on travelers and tourists,
either Muslims or non- Muslims, have been imposed.
Halal Hotels’, ‘Muslim Friendly Hospitality Services’35 are the most notable concepts in the
contemporary industrial discourse of tourism.
Both the Holy Qurān and Hadīth, on various occasions,have stressed for roaming in the
length and breadth of earth to seek knowledge and exposure. Even some fundamental
religious duties, including Namāz (Prayers) and Siyām (Fasting) have been relieved for
travelers.

9. Having richness in terms of golden universal principle, many codes of tourism laws have followed
Islamic tourism laws for attaining effectiveness. Owing to this fact, the global code of ethics of
UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) has resemblance with Qurānic verses. Article
# 07 and 08 of code of ethics, for instance, offers, “Right to Tourism” and “Liberty of Tourists
movements”
The verse of Holy Qurān provides the same by stating,
Article No.4 of the same code has the same objectives by stating, “Tourism a user of the cultural heritage
of mankind and contributor to its enhancement.
The same idea has been elaborated by the of Holy Qurān as,
“Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected truth”
“Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation; so will
Allah produce a later creation; for Allah has power over all things”

10. CPEC pivotal stepping stone to Pakistan's
development and prosperity

11. Opportunities
for Tourism
in Pakistan
CPEC: Enhanced Connectivity
The construction of new roads and highways as part of
CPEC, which will increase connectivity throughout the
nation, would have an impact on Pakistan's tourism industry
industry in a positive way.
 Rail and road projects will integrate Pakistan's rural areas
with the rest of the country. Visits to popular tourist
destinations will be easier.
Pakistan is Increasingly becoming Peaceful
It is now widely accepted that Pakistan is increasingly
becoming a pleasant and secure environment for everybody.
The tourist destinations are now safe for women and
international visitors, as well as males and locals
A ten year policy, and a five-year
action plan are being developed
by the “Pakistan Tourism
Development Corporation”
(PTDC) to highlight the nation as
a distinctive brand throughout
the world

12. A female foreigner named "Eva
Zoo Beck" recently travelled the
entire length and width of
Pakistan by herself. She did it
safely and soundly, and she
departed the nation with many
happy memories that she
shared on her social media
pages. Without a doubt, her
tourism-related stories have
inspired others to travel to
Pakistan and see its
breathtaking scenery.

13. Important Points:
Tourism is important to the economy of every country, and Pakistan
has the potential to rank among the most popular tourist destinations
worldwide
•Tourism supported the creation of 4 million jobs and contributed 5.9%
of the nation's GDP in 2019.
•Pakistan is a market for roughly 50 million potential domestic visitors,
most of whom travel in their own cars with their families and in groups
of, on average, 5, even though there isn't exact information accessible
on them.
•There were 1.458 billion foreign arrivals as tourists globally in 2019.
1.225 million foreign tourists visited Pakistan overall.

14. Recommendations:
 The issue of "over tourism" needs to be properly
managed.
 More talent will enter the profession if tourism is
promoted through incentives like microfinance, loans,
industrial connections with innovative ideas, and local
champion competitions.
 Minority religious sites are referred to as sacred spaces
rather than public places. Thus, in addition to serving as a
popular tourist destination, the sacredness of these
locations will be preserved for pilgrims.
 "Infrastructure" is more than just buildings, services, and
roadways. The provision of first-rate hospitality,
transportation services, and plans for inland travel is also
necessary for attracting tourists

15. Thank you