News: WEF travel, tourism competitiveness report: Pakistan ranked 103 among 124 countries
Name of NewsPaper: Business Recorder
Date of Publication: Tuesday, 04 March, 2008
URL:http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=704002&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD (March 04 2008): The World Economic Forum (WEF) on Monday launched its annual travel and tourism competitiveness report, ranking Pakistan 103 in 124 countries. The report provided a cross-country analysis of the drivers of competitiveness in travel and tourism, providing useful comparative information for making business decisions and additional value to governments wishing to improve their travel and tourism environments.

The report said low prioritisation of the industry in Pakistan ineffectiveness of marketing and branding and a constricted tourism perception were major hurdles in promoting tourism and travel.

Other competitive disadvantages to Pakistan include poor tourism infrastructure such as provision of competitive hotel rooms, availability of ATMs accepting Visa cards, the national and cultural resources (96) and the prevailing security situation.

However, despite many competitive disadvantages Pakistan ranked well on the air and ground transport infrastructure. The price competitiveness in the industry maintains a very viable position based on the low fuel price level, purchasing power parity and extent and effect of taxation. The report added that Pakistan like many other countries needed to focus on the sustainability of its natural environment.

According to the report, the data for Pakistan has been prepared based on a combination of data from publicly available sources, international travel and tourism institutions and experts as well as the results of the Executive Opinion Survey, carried out last year by the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF).

Arthur Bayhan, Chief Executive Officer in his comment on the report said that CSF, being the partner institution of the WEF in Pakistan, is actively engaged in the issues of competitiveness and is working with both the public and private sector as well as the academia to improve the global ranking of the country.

Bayhan shared that the Executive Opinion Survey is a major component of the Global Competitiveness Report. The survey provided the key component that turns the report into a representative annual measure of Pakistan's economic environment and its ability to achieve sustained growth. Top level business executives operating in Pakistan are surveyed to capture their opinion on the business environment in which they operate.

The report elaborates that Switzerland, Austria and Germany have been ranked as the most attractive environments for developing the travel and tourism industry. The report helps Pakistan in measuring the factors that contribute to developing the T&T industry and also demonstrates the importance of supportive business and regulatory frameworks, coupled with world-class transport and tourism infrastructure with a strong focus on developing human and natural resources.