The travel and tourism sector contributed Rs 930.9 billion, that is 2.9 percent of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in 2017 and is forecast to rise this year.
The direct contribution of travel and tourism in Pakistan is forecast to rise by 5.9 percent to Rs 986 billion in 2018, the World Travel & Tourism Council said in its annual Economic Impact Report on Thursday.
The contribution primarily reflects the economic activity generated by industries such as hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services. But it also includes for example, activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists.
The report further noted that the direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP is expected to grow by 5.8 percent to Rs 1,727.7 billion by 2028.
The total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP, including wider effects from investment, the supply chain and induced income impacts was Rs 2,349 billion in 2017 and is expected to grow by 5.8 percent to Rs 2,486 billion in 2018. Further, the report stated that travel and tourism generated 1,493,000 jobs directly in 2017 and this is forecast to grow by 2.8 percent in 2018 to 1,534,000.
Published in Daily Times, March 23rd 2018.
