Tourists planning to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are likely to enjoy a safer and more organized travel experience after the provincial government introduced a new digital licensing system for all businesses operating in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Under the new directive released by the KP Tourism Authority, every hotel, restaurant, travel agency, tour operator, car rental service, and tourist guide in the province must complete online registration and obtain a digital license before starting or continuing operations.
Officials claimed that the decision is considered an integral component of a broader initiative to improve public safety, service quality, and transparency in the province’s rapidly growing tourism industry.
The system will ensure that only registered and verified operators are permitted to serve visitors, helping protect tourists from fraud, overcharging, and poor-quality services.
Making Tourism Safer and More Transparent
KP has become one of Pakistan’s top tourist destinations, drawing local and international travelers to scenic spots like Swat, Hunza, Chitral, and Kaghan Valley. However, the growing influx of visitors has also magnified the requirement for stronger regulation and standardized services.
By requiring businesses to get digital licenses, the government is planning to create a centralized database of tourism-related enterprises. This will make it easier to monitor performance, address complaints, and take swift action against unregistered or non-compliant operators.
Setting Service Standards and Fair Pricing
Officials also confirmed that the Tourism Authority will have the authority to set official service rates for various hospitality businesses to prevent overpricing and make certain tourists receive fair value. This move is expected to encourage healthy competition while discouraging exploitative practices.
A spokesperson for the KP Tourism Authority claimed the digital registration system is considered to be a step toward modernizing the tourism sector.
“We are making plans to make KP a model province for responsible and regulated tourism. Visitors should feel safe, valued, and confident that the services they are getting meet proper standards,” he added.
With this new policy, the province is busy in to building a more sustainable and visitor-friendly tourism ecosystem, boosting both public trust and economic growth in the region.