Residents Urge Standard Recreational Facilities, Hotels In Ghazni

(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): A number of residents in Ghazni say that although many domestic and foreign tourists visit the southern province, a lack of facilities and services prevents them from staying longer, urging the construction of standard recreational areas and modern hotels.

Ghazni is considered one of the country's most important provinces from a historical and cultural perspective. Every year, large numbers of tourists visit its historic sites and monuments.

At the beginning of the current year, the Department of Information and Culture reported that 30,000 domestic and foreign tourists had visited the province over the past year.

Shamsuddin Hadizada, a resident of Ghazni city, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News that although both domestic and foreign tourists travel to Ghazni to see its historical monuments, there were almost no suitable recreational facilities, discouraging longer stays and repeat visits.

He said there was only a small park in the city named after Hakim Sanai, which was insufficient given the city's population and needs.

He called not only for the construction of recreational parks and hotels, but also for standard stadiums, gymnasiums and sauna facilities.

Mohammad Haroon Arya, another resident, said Ghazni was one of the country's key historic provinces and that residents hoped modern recreational facilities would be developed alongside the preservation of historical sites to meet the needs of young people and help boost the local economy.

Farooq Poya, a social activist in the province, also said there were no standard recreational areas or modern hotels.

He noted that if serious attention were given to this sector, tourist arrivals would increase significantly.

He added that although Ghazni has unique historical attractions, the lack of recreational infrastructure results in tourists staying only for short periods.

Meanwhile, officials acknowledge there are insufficient facilities for recreation and accommodation in the province, but say the government is addressing the issue.

Information and Culture Director Mawlawi Hamidullah Nisar told Pajhwok that meetings had been held with municipal officials to take practical steps towards building recreational facilities.

He said a number of national investors had shown interest in the sector, noting that a private investor had recently opened a sauna complex in Ghazni city with an investment of more than 2.5 million US dollars.

Nisar also called on international aid organisations not to withhold support for youth engagement and tourism development in the province.

During the previous government, a desert area in Nawar district was designated as a national park. However, practical work on the project has yet to begin.

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