Coastal Tourism & CPEC: Opportunities and Challenges in Pakistan

Abstract

Coastal tourism has been recognized as an economic booster in several developing countries around the globe. However, in Pakistan this vital role of coastal tourism is hardly realized. Now with the inception of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), coastal tourism has been in the limelight for socio-economic development of the country. Although, coastal tourism is a complicated activity that cuts across many sectors, levels and interests; hence, its‟ sustainability demands a comprehensive planning framework. Keeping in view the immense value of coastal tourism in CPEC, this study has attempted to identify the potential opportunities and challenges in its development in the country. Following a semi structured interview schedule, the data for this study is collected from 37 coastal tourism stakeholders (organisations). The data collected is then anlaysed through STEEP (Socio-demographic, Technological, Economic, Environmental and Political) analysis. The STEEP factors were found interrelated that constantly interact with each other in the macro-environment and hence creating opportunities and challenges for coastal tourism development. Both the opportunities and challenges are discussed within major areas like: stakeholders' collaboration/partnership, biological diversity, strategic management planning, political circumstances and the national interest in coastal tourism development. In order to exploit the opportunities and overcome the challenges in the macroenvironment, this study recommended strategic interventions for sustainable coastal tourism development. The proposed interventions can integrate coastal tourism with the national economy, society and environment. Furthermore, this study is on time effort to inform the relevant policy makers for achieving the target objectives of CPEC in coastal zone of Pakistan.