Hazara University Leads Tea Tourism Promotion

The Department of Tourism and Hospitality at Hazara University recently organized the 5th annual Tea Garden Festival in Mansehra to celebrate International Tea Day. The event, held in collaboration with government and private partners, aimed to raise awareness about the economic significance of the tea industry and promote tea farming in Pakistan.

During the festival, Tariq Tanveer, CEO of Agri Tourism Development Pakistan, highlighted the potential of tea tourism in boosting the country's economy. He emphasized the importance of supporting Pakistani farmers to enhance the branding of tea products and other agricultural activities, ultimately fostering Agri-Tourism and economic growth.

Shinkiari was identified as a promising location for tea cultivation tourism, with collaborative efforts between Agri Tourism Development and Hazara University set to enhance its prospects. Professor Dr. Mohsin Nawaz, Vice Chancellor of Hazara University, reiterated the university's commitment to advancing regional tourism through joint initiatives and highlighted ongoing projects aimed at promoting tourism in the region.

Dr. Nawaz stressed the need for government assistance in increasing local tea production to reduce the country's reliance on tea imports and transform Pakistan into a tea exporter. The festival also featured key figures such as Dr. Basharat Hussain, Director of the National Tea and High-Value Crops Research Institute Shinkiari, and Sahibzada Jawad Al-Faizi, CEO of Saiban Development Organisation, who showcased tea, handmade crafts, and food items to a large audience of university students and the general public.

The 5th Annual Tea Garden Festival served as a platform to promote tea tourism, support local farmers, and drive economic growth in Pakistan. The collaborative efforts between government, private organizations, and educational institutions like Hazara University are crucial in realizing the potential of tea cultivation as a means to achieve economic self-sufficiency and reduce the country's dependence on tea imports.