Private sector initiatives impressive projects towards coastal tourism
Tourism is the most important and fastest growing economic activity occurring in the sea. According to the international surveys and statistics, domestic tourism means local visitors, represents 71.2% of all tourism spending in 2018. The trend had depicted a strongest growth rate in coming years. It is believed that domestic or native/national tourism will continue to support opportunities of growth in travel and hospitality industry, and will bring economic benefits for locals. While we envisage the prosperous future of Gwadar, as an emerging maritime hub, the need for hotels, clubs, decent food and recreational spaces at affordable prices is all we need to promote tourism along the coast. Although the government agencies and related institutions seem motivated for expansion of coastal and maritime tourism in the country, some private sector investors have launched impressive projects to render these key facilities at heart of Balochistan in Gwadar. These initiatives not only reflect the opportunities available in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, but are real manifestation of high hopes and trust we have with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
The very first beach resort and club along the Makran Coast known as Gwadar Club is an inspiring example to be followed by local investors. It is the first ever corporate tourism, trade and hospitality facility with blue and green Sea water with golden sand beaches of the Arabian Sea located right in front of new the Gwadar Airport. The entire project is spread over 50 acres of land; which includes a five-star hotel, a trade centre, and an expo centre. It has been designed under the guidance of Malaysian experts to make to tourism friendly accommodation place. The project also aims to develop water sports & park facility with provision of boating, rowing, sea surfing, sailing and yacht.
International surveys and studies on the subject of travel, tourism and hospitality have identified the safety, security, health and hygiene conditions, financial viability and exposure to the indigenous culture, as key factors that act as catalyst for tourism economy. Gwadar Club and Beach Resort 99 has been developed while keeping in view all these factors, and unlike other expensive hotels in the area which are often considered beyond the affordability, this facility is expected act as booster of maritime tourism in the area based on competitive advantage.
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With the growing, awareness about environmental issues; the hotels and resorts that are oriented towards conservation of environment and natural resources will become primary choices of visitors in coming years. Therefore, keeping in view the concept of blue growth while promoting the maritime tourism at Gwadar, the Gwadar Club and 99 Beach Resort has been built on the principles of sustainability. To control the water and energy use, all electricity is being produced through solar power and visitors and encouraged to follow environmental friendly rules while their stay at the Club. While briefing about the project; CEO of the Gwadar Club and Beach Resort, Brigadier (retired) Asif shared his thought as, “developing a hotel and a high quality recreational facility is not only a financial investment, our concept was to favours maritime tourism, while prioritizing aspects of coastal conservation, we also wanted achieve welfare of the community through creating jobs for locals.”
Although it is believed that building excellent hotel facilities can only be undertaken by big investors or established companies in the field can take the lead, but development of Gwadar Club, which has been opened for public since September 2019, is an excellent example of JV/collaborative investment initiative by local businessmen into an emerging enterprises. It will not only prove to be motivation venture for others but also be a trend setter for the hotel industry along the Makran Coast. There is huge potential of growth in the hospitality industry, not only for hotels but also to train manpower to meet current and future needs.
[box type=”note” align=”” class=”” width=””]Writer is a maritime researcher and a freelance contributor.[/box]