ABBOTTABAD: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has taken practical steps towards establishing a Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC) in Harnai to improve facilities for visitors and promote eco-tourism in Galiyat and surrounding areas.
On the directions of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Tourism Malik Adeel Iqbal, Director General of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority Shahid Khan Mehmood visited Harnai to inspect the proposed site alongside officials of the Communication and Works (C&W) Department and the contractor.
Construction work on the project is expected to begin soon.
The proposed centre will serve as an information and guidance point for tourists travelling from across Pakistan to Galiyat and nearby destinations. Planned facilities include an information centre, separate washrooms for men and women, a tuck shop, a mosque, a Hazara culture display centre and a playground.
During the visit, the director general stressed the importance of construction quality, timely completion and effective use of the facility.
He said the purpose of the Harnai Tourist Facilitation Centre was not limited to providing basic facilities but also included promoting the wider region as an organised, visitor-friendly and environmentally responsible tourist destination.
The project is expected to improve visitor convenience and support tourism-related activities in the area. However, sustainable tourism will also require responsible waste disposal, protection of natural landscapes and careful management of pressure on local resources.
Eco-tourism can create opportunities for local communities while encouraging the conservation of forests, biodiversity and natural landscapes that make Galiyat an important tourist destination.
The proposed facility represents a step towards improving tourism infrastructure while promoting a more organised and sustainable approach to tourism development in the region.
