News: Pakistan ranks 103rd among 124 states
Name of Newspaper: The Nation
Date of Publication: Tuesday, 04 March, 2008
URL: http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2008/4/nationalnews1.php

SHAHBAZ RANA

ISLAMABAD- Pakistan stands at 103 out of 124 states on Global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, underlining a frail travel and tourism regulatory framework, low prioritisation of the industry, low marketing effectiveness and a constricted tourism perception.

The World Economic Forum on Monday launched its annual Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. The report provides 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.

Some of the other competitive disadvantages for Pakistan include the poor tourism infrastructure such as provision of competitive hotel rooms where the country ranked at 110, available ATMs accepting Visa cards also 110, the national and cultural resources 96 and the prevailing security situation 106 among 124 countries.

Despite showing many competitive disadvantages in the travel and tourism industry, Pakistan positioned well on the air travel infrastructure 40 and ground transport infrastructure 39. The price competitiveness in the industry maintains a very viable position based on the low fuel price level 23, purchasing power parity 25 and the extent and effect of taxation 33. Pakistan will however, like many other countries need to focus on the sustainability of its natural environment, says 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, which was carried out last year by the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) in Pakistan.

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.

For the T&T regulatory framework sub index, Pakistan is placed at 106 out of 124. For the five pillars making up this sub index, Pakistan ranks as follows: Policy rules and regulations: 98, Environmental regulation 85, Safety and security 106, Health and hygiene91, Prioritisation of T&T position remained at 111.

The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) measures the factors and policies that make it attractive to develop the T&T sector in the various countries. It is composed of 14 pillars of travel and tourism competitiveness including, Policy rules and regulations, Environmental sustainability, Safety and Security, Health and hygiene, Prioritization of travel and tourism, Air transport infrastructure, Ground transport infrastructure, Tourism infrastructure, Information and Communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, Price competitiveness, Human capital, Affinity for travel and tourism, Natural resources and Cultural resources.