Prime Minister Imran Khan performed the groundbreaking of a five-star hotel in Nathia Gali to promote tourism in the Northern areas.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the subsidiary of an international chain of hotels, Hilton Hotels, took place in Nathia Gali on Monday as part of the incumbent government’s efforts to promote tourism in Pakistan’s Northern areas.
Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the hotel.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels, will be built and operated under the brand of Hilton — an American hospitality company. It is the first-ever five-star hotel to be constructed in Nathia Gali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This state-of-the-art hotel will be built on land belonging to Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) and will be leased to Baron Hotels, Pakistan. The estimated cost of the complete project is around 25 million dollars.
Due to prudent policies of Government, International hotel industry entering in Pakistan after 42 years.
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 6, 2021
A well-known international DoubleTree brand by Hilton International will build and operate first 5-star hotel at Nathiagali, KP pic.twitter.com/JCDkMUsBPA
The construction of this hotel will boost tourism and bring foreign currency into Pakistan. Besides, it will also generate employment opportunities for the residents of Abbottabad and surrounding towns.
Addressing the ceremony, PM Imran Khan said that this hotel’s construction in Nathia Gali is a major step towards generating wealth from tourism, adding that this will attract more people to Pakistan.
He further said that the construction of resorts and skiing amenities will be the next step after the building of this hotel as Pakistan has great potential for skiing activities considering the extended snowy weather in the region.
Galiyat Tahaffuz Movement opposes the construction of the five-star hotel in Nathia Gali
Meanwhile, many groups, including Galiyat Tahaffuz Movement (GTM) and conservationists, have opposed the construction of the DoubleTree Hotel.
“The multistory hotel is being constructed on the reserve forest of the Ayubia National Park without fulfilling the legal process,” GTM chairman Sardar Sabir and general secretary Sardar Iftikhar said in a media briefing.
They further said that Imran Khan had always declared his government’s dedication to do its maximum for the protection of environment and preservation of forests. However, inaugurating a hotel’s construction in a national park is contrary to his oft-repeated claims.
GTM has also stated that the locals of Galiyat are also against the construction of this five-star hotel and have demanded the government to take back its decision.