The general tourism price index increased by 11.3 percent during 2005-06 over the previous year, giving an impetus to the flow of tourism after 9/11.
The report was released here by the Economic Analysis Wing of the Ministry of Tourism, which shows 0.8 percent increase in food price, 13.4 percent in accommodation and transport cost increased by 7.4 percent. Tourism being a price-sensitive industry and responsive to changes in income, prices and taste, hence price plays a considerable role.
The study being based on printed rate, has not taken into account the group and corporate rates, which are highly competitive and benefit group tourists visiting Pakistan on all-inclusive packages. The tourism accommodation tariff index shows overall increase 17.2 percent for single room and 10.2 percent for double room during 2005-06 over the previous year.
The price index of food items served in restaurants increased by 11.3 percent in 2005-6 over 2004-05, while increase of 8.8 percent was recorded in food served in restaurants located outside hotels during the same period.
Tourism price index in 5-4 star hotels located in Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Murree, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, where accommodation price index increased by 13.4 percent, increased in single room was 21.5 percent and in double room was 14.1 percent.
In the same hotels, food price index increased by 3.3 percent in restaurants located inside hotels, whereas the tourism price index of 1 to 3 star hotels located in Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Murree, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta. Accommodation price index in these cities increased by 10.5 percent.
Food price in these hotels increased by 8.3 percent in restaurant located inside hotels and 9.7 percent in restaurants located outside the hotels. Besides, tourism price index in tourist resort areas such as Kaghan, Naran, Balakot, Kalam, Swat, Chitral, Ziarat and Murree, where accommodation price index increased by 20.7 percent, food prices 12.2 percent increased in restaurants inside the hotels and 12.6 in restaurants located in outside the hotels.
Tourist price index in the Northern Areas-Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu, where accommodation price increased by 21.2 percent and food price index increased by 15.7 percent. Tourism price index in Sukkur, Hyderabad, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Mardan and D.I Khan, where accommodation price index increased by 4.4 percent and food price increased by 9.1 percent.
Besides, the transport price index increased by 7.4 percent during 2005-06 over the previous year. The domestic air fare index increased 25.8 percent, rail fare index increased by 5.4 percent and the highest increase of 27.3 percent was recorded in the road fair.
During the period, index of currency value in case of US dollar increased by 1 percent and Euro decreased by 5.1 percent during 2005-06 over the previous year.