Project Summary

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), historically a major tourist destination in Pakistan, saw a sharp decline in visitors due to prolonged security challenges. This led to high unemployment rates, particularly among youth that comprises over 30 percent of the province's population, and a decline in tourism.

Recognizing tourism as a vital sector for local economic revival, the KP government prioritized its restoration and growth, allocating PKR 257 million in 2017.In partnership with the KP Tourism Corporation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Eco-Tourism and Camping Villages Project to establish camping villages in scenic valleys of KP, with an aim to provide affordable, safe, and eco-friendly facilities for tourists while generating sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

UNDP continues to support the KP Department of Tourism, Sports, Culture, Archaeology & Youth Affairs to expand the camping villages, creating sustainable economic opportunities, particularly for youth and women, while protecting the environment and promoting responsible tourism.

Objectives

• Identify new sites with tourism potential and establish eco-friendly camping pod villages to facilitate tourists.
• Promote eco-tourism by ensuring environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources.
• Create income and employment opportunities for local communities, especially youth and women.

Outcomes

• 10 camping villages established across scenic locations (Swat, Buner, Batagram, Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, and Orakzai), handed over to the KP Tourism Department on a turnkey basis.
• Economic benefits extended to 162,500 people (directly and indirectly) through improved facilities, job creation, and the promotion of small-scale, tourism-related enterprises.
• 210 youth (142 male, 68 female) trained in eco-tourism, hospitality, and tourism management, while comprehensive tourism strategies were developed for both the KP Tourism Department and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC).
• Visitor experience improved through safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly camping sites, encouraging domestic and international tourism.
• The third project phase of the project has been signed with the KP Department of Culture and Tourism to establish additional camping villages at three new sites.