The government of NWFP on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Red Onion, a US company to provide economical accommodations to tourist in Nathiagali. In this connection an agreement was signed between Sarhad Tourism Corporation and Red Onion, a US company, here at Qayyum Sports Complex.
Managing Director STC, Azam Khan, Managing Director Red Onion, Rawalpindi Zafar, signed the agreement in a ceremony. The lease of the family resorts in Nathiagali was given to the firm for 30 years with an amount of Rs 202.6 million.
Briefing the media, Provincial Tourism Minister, Syed Aqil Shah and Azam Khan said that the lease of Nathiagali Chalet was given to the Red Onion through transparent bidding with the conditions of not demolishing any historical building, cutting trees as well as making heavy constructions.
They said the firm would provide accommodation to the tourists on reasonable rates. Syed Aqil Shah termed the leasing out of Nathiagali Chalet to Red Onion as a big achievement. He said the government has a massive programme of reviving tourism in the province.
Historical sites in Gor Khuttree, Mohallah Sethian, Kotla Mohsin Khan, Buddhist Stopa in Swat would be preserved for transferring old cultural heritage to the young generation, he said. A Lok Versa type complex was being set up at Gor Khuttrree.
Azam said that various provincial departments had rest houses and other constructions at worth seeing places in the province that if leased out to private firms through STC, would help promote tourism and earn funds for the departments, STC and firms.
He said through organising different events, establishing hotels and preserving historical heritage in Swat, the perception of tourists about the valley could be changed and thus income generation of hoteliers would be revived. NWFP Minister for Tourism, Archives, Culture and Sports, Syed Aqil Shah were also present on the occasion.