Meeting of USAID FIRMS Project with Secretary Tourism Department, KPK on institutional strengthening of Tourism Department (TD) and

Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (TCKP). Time: 02:15 am to 03:30 pm Date: June 29, 2011 Location: Secretary Tourism Office, Peshawar. Participants: TDKP and TCKP: i. Muhammad Azam Khan, Secretary Tourism KPK. ii. Hayat Khan, Planning Officer (Chief), TCKP. iii. Mushtaq Khan, General Manager Admin, TCKP. iv. Abdul Hameed, Incharge DTS. FIRMS: i. ii. iii. Adnan Sher, Islamabad Office Director. Inamullah Khan, Program Manager. Aftab Rana, Tourism Advisor.

1. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the changing role of TDKP and TCKP in the post 18th amendment scenario and find avenues for institutional strengthening of TDKP and TCKP. The Secretary Tourism was debriefed on key challenges and proposed interventions for KPK tourism sector that were identified during FIRMS Project staff meetings with TCKP senior staff.. These include:a. Formulation of an implementable Tourism Policy for Khyber Pukhtunkhawa in the light of KPCCI vision document for Tourism Sector of KP to address the challenges of post 18th amendment in the constitution of Pakistan, devolving the tourism and some other functions to the Provincial Governments. b. Restructuring of Tourism Department and TCKP for efficiency and quality services to the businesses involved in the tourism sector. c. Revision of tourism/hotel related laws and formulation of legal and regulatory framework, capacity building of DTS and awareness of sector stakeholders about these laws, rules and regulations. d. Identification of sources for revenue generation and strengthening of public-private partnerships in tourism sector. e. Capacity building of PAITHOM for providing quality trainings in the tourism and hotel sector.

2. The Secretary Tourism endorsed the above points. The Secretary Tourism also briefed the FIRMS Project team regarding the following additional aspects:a. The Secretary Tourism said that despite tense security environment in KPK province, the TD/TCKP has successfully conducted various tourist events/festivals in various areas of KPK province. The TCKP would now facilitate private sector to come forward and hold such tourists events/festivals in KPK province. a. The Secretary Tourism expressed his strong desire to make DTS an income generating entity with focus on facilitation and provision of quality regulatory services to concerned tourism sector stakeholders in KPK. He added that the TDS being a regulatory function falls under the Tourism Department, whereas TCKP is a business entity. b. The Secretary Tourism informed that the stakeholders consultation process for revision of tourism/hotel related laws, formulation of legal and regulatory framework has been started. He requested the FIRMS Project to address the issues in the proposed tourism policy document and subsequently help the TDKP in revision of laws, and regulations. c. The DTS is presently understaffed with limited capacity to provide services to hoteliers, tour operators etc. The TCKP requested FIRMS Projects technical assistance support in institutional strengthening of DTS including census of hotels, tour operators, tour guides etc. to facilitate new businesses registration with DTS, establishment of quality standards and systems for tourism services and initial implementation support for running of DTS. d. The Secretary Tourism informed that TCKP would now focus on promotion of archeological tourism in KPK province. He added to promote archeological tourism in KPK by developing infrastructure facilities, improving marketing and creating awareness among the communities about the preservation and conservation of archeological sites for the long term economic benefit and employment generation opportunities. The Secretary Tourism added that the TCKP will develop the Ghor Ghatri Project in the old city of Peshawar as a hub of cultural tourism activities under public-private partnership program. The Secretary Tourism requested the FIRMS Project technical assistance support in marketing and promotion and establishing a mechanism for effective public private partnership to run the Ghor Ghatri Project. e. The Secretary Tourism informed the meeting that TDKP has planned to shift PAITHOM from Abbottabad to Hayatabad, Peshawar where a suitable government building is available which would fulfill the requirements of PAITHOM. He requested FIRMS project to provide technical assistance and technical training equipment for PAITHOM (Kitchen utensils/equipment, room furniture, supplies and equipment etc.

details to be provided by PAITHOM) to make it operational so that it could start conducting training program on regular basis. f. The Secretary Tourism informed that the government of KPK has decided initially to transfer 20 government rest houses/properties located at different locations of the province to TCKP for necessary repair/renovation and leasing out to the private sector for operating under the public-private partnership arrangements. This will not only generate additional financial resources for TCKP but will also help in promotion of tourism at remote locations of KPK. The Secretary requested FIRMS project technical assistance for preparation of rehabilitation plan of properties, and help in developing bidding process to lease out properties to suitable private entrepreneurs under public-private partnership program for promotion of tourism. g. The Secretary Tourism stressed the need for establishing a high quality audio-video studio in Peshawar to facilitate production of quality documentaries on tourism sites in KPK. He requested FIRMS project to provide technical and financial support for this project as it will greatly help in projecting tourist attractions and rich culture of KPK at national as well as international levels. h. Regarding improving management of TCKP, the Secretary Tourism requested FIRMS Project support in institutional assessment and strengthening of TDKP and TCKP. This would also include preparation of service rules for TCKP and support to register new name of TCKP under appropriate law. i. The Secretary Tourism stressed also emphasized on strengthening of Information Technology and Creative Wing of TCKP by providing training and latest equipment to improve functioning of this important department. j. The Office Director FIRMS informed the Secretary Tourism that FIRMS project will try to assure full cooperation from USAID for institutional strengthening of TDKP and TCKP and further informed that the project will prepare a proposal in the light of todays discussion and try to get approval from USAID to start work with TDKP and TCKP for its institutional strengthening.Plz schedule a meeting in the minister sports office on 4-8-11 at 12 noon. Meeting to be attended by secretary sports, hayat ali shah, DG sports and other relevant sports directorate officials. Agenda = finalization of list of ADP schemes of existing playgrounds and new playgrounds. Thanx.