Under the Punjab Tourism for Economic Growth Project holistic Management Plans for up to ten historical, cultural and heritage sites, as identified and agreed by the Project Steering Committee, to identify holistic needs and priorities within proximity of the heritage sites are being developed. Each Management Plan will be structured around three pillars:
- Development – covering stocktaking of: (i) land ownership within proximity of the sites; (ii) local supply of accommodation facilities; (iii) infrastructure and basic services (access roads, water, sanitation, solid waste disposal); (iv) the availability of signage, (v) beautification and environmental status; and (vi) tourism amenities and facilities (from availability of public washrooms to restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops) surrounding the sites/compounds. (vi) development of tourism information sources and materials
- Organization – covering: (i) identification of the relevant stakeholders; (ii) arrangements for data collection of visitors, etc.; (iii) local institutional setup to manage the heritage sites; (iv) arrangements for tourist services (guides, media, commercial facilities); (v) collaborations and linkages with other sites/provinces/institutions/etc.; and (vi) local revenue collection, resource management and transparency. (vii) availability of relevant information resources and materials
- Sustainability – covering: (i) an assessment of demand and supply of local skills relevant to the tourism sector; (ii) identification and integration of revenue sources, with particular focus on sustainable solutions for continuous maintenance of the sites and new infrastructure; and (iii) surveying of occupancy rates of accommodation facilities, labor income for different tasks, etc.
Priority works identified and approved in the Management Plans will be executed in consultation with UNESCO to ensure that heritage sites are protected according to international best practice.
The Punjab Tourism for Economic Growth Project will also finance works, equipment and technical assistance for basic infrastructure such as:
- Parking facilities, washroom facilities and rest areas, with special attention to accessibility for women and persons with different abilities that are missing around the main sites and along key access roads;
- Arrival lounges and terminals at Badami Bagh Lahore railway station, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Sahib and Gurdwara Rori Sahib, including expansions and upgrading of seating, ceiling fans, hand railings and safety barriers;
- (Development of facilities at Toap Mankiala, Rawalpindi;
- Conversion of the Punjab Archaeology Office at Katas Raj into a tourist center;
- Priority investments in the management Plans with the aim of reducing any negative impact of an increase in tourist arrivals on the consumption of surrounding communities.
- Alternate power supply arrangements will be supported given the shortage of electricity in targeted areas.
These interventions will be limited in scope and particular attention will be paid to improve facilities for women, children, elderly and people with disabilities