SWAT: Malakand division commissioner Abid Wazir and Director General of Upper Swat Development Authority Adnan Ibrar on Wednesday discussed strategic measures for promoting tourism in the scenic valley.

The meeting held at the commissioner`s office in Saidu Sharif focused on enhancing tourist accessibility, developing new destinations, and improving infrastructure and facilities for visitors.

Mr Ibrar provided an in-depth briefing on major tourist hotspots, including Malam Jabba, Gabin Jabba, Kalam, Mahodand, Shahi Bagh, Madian, Bahrain, Miandam, and other prominent sites.

He shared updates on ongoing development projects, the current state of roads and tourism infrastructure, and future plans aimed at elevating the tourist experience.

Mr Ibrar stated that the development body was actively working to identify and open up lesser-known tourist spots to the public in a bid to revitalise the local economy and draw more visitors to the region. He also highlighted the key challenges faced by the authority, such as limited financial resources, infrastructure deficits, and encroachments at several sites.

Commissioner Abid Wazir expressed satisfaction over the performance and initiatives of the authority.

He said Swat held immense potential as a premier tourist destination.

Stressing the needfor a coordinated and integrated approach, he called for inter-departmental collaboration to fully realise Swat`s tourism prospects.

The commissioner directed the departments concerned to take immediate steps to enhance access to emerging tourist locations and to ensure the provision of essential services, including potable water, quality accommodation, guidance centres, and effective security measures for visitors.

He further underscored the importance of removing all encroachments from tourist sites to safeguard and preserve the valley`s natural beauty. Correspondent