Swat Serena Hotel, A Heritage Property
Munaza Kazmi
Swat a valley as green as the emeralds
that lie beneath the mountains. Cold and clear streams and rivers flowing from
the snow-capped peaks of the Hindu Kush. A brilliant blue sky - it's hard to
describe the Swat valley without getting carried away.It feels like one of the
most beautiful and enchanted places on earth.
Many know Swat Valley for its
tranquility and natural beauty. But the valley houses several archaeological and
heritage sites, thatmarked it as a desired destination among the tourist.
Swat Serena Hotel, a magnificent heritage hotel, managed and operated by
Tourism Promotion Services Pakistan (Owner and Operator of Serena Hotels), lies
in the footstep of the Hindukush Mountains in an absolutely secure location in
the capital city of Saidu Sharif, within walking distance of the colorfulbustling
marketsselling brightly embroidered shawls, folk jewelry and locally produced
honeyand ancient Buddhist sites of Mingora.Moreover, it’s easily accessible from
Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and other major cities due to the recently
constructed Motorway.
The beautiful historic building, surrounded by the lush green neatly
tended gardens, with centuries old tress telling the tales of history, the
calming voice of water from the ever-flowing fountains, the welcoming serene
blue pool, the classySuvastu restaurant offering a variety of food, the
immaculate modern rooms decorated with hint of Swati tradition, and on top the
most hospitable staff reflects the true Pakistani culture.
The Hoteltoday is a heritage property, every stone of it tells
fascinating tales of the rich past. The Hotel was in-fact a Prime Minister
House, till today named as Wazir House, constructed in1935 by then king Badshah
ShahibMiangul Abdul Wadud, the Wali of Swat and a descendant of the Akhund of
Swat, for his Prime Minister. After Badshah Shahib death, his descendant
MiangulJahanzebtook charge and in 1949 removed the Prime Minister from the
Wazir House. Later in 1969, when the princely state of Swat merged with
Pakistan, Jahazeb handed over the Wazir House to the government of Pakistan,
that transformed it in to the guest house. From the year 1969-1984 onwards, it
was with PIA as a guest house.
Reasoning the poor maintenance and care, the House was losing its splendor.
Fortunately, in 1984 government of Pakistan leased it to Tourism Promotion Services
Pakistan (Owner and Operator of Serena Hotels) for a better change. Serena
Hotels that come under the umbrella of Tourism Promotion Services, renovated
the hotel and Wazir House with much diligence and converted into a luxury
setting, the project was completed with the assistance of Aga Khan Trust and
Culture, which resulted in adding up of another luxury hotel of Pakistan and
promoting the element of tourism.
Today the Wazir House regained its glory and known worldwide as Swat
Serena Hotel-chain of Serena Hotels. Serena Hotels known fortheir luxury hotels,
resorts, palaces, and fortswith its remarkable hospitality, enjoy history of
promoting tourism, culture and empowering the communities. Many stories can be
related mainly, in the times of unrest in Swat and recent pandemic of COVID-19,
despite the empty rooms all of the uniformed staff have been kept on by the management
of Serena Hotels.
However, recently the government of Pakistan had shown some ambiguity
regarding the managing termsand leasing agreement of Swat property with Serena Hotels.
During my stay at Swat Serena Hotel, which would become a memory of lifetime
reasoning the luxury, comfort and unending hospitality, I have seen the hint of
concern in the eyes of staff about their association of three decades of
services with Serena, where they feel as family. Moreover, they felt the fear
of losing the bread and butter of their family.
Contemporary government of all favorite Prime MinisterImran Khan, that seems keen to promote the tourism industry, must see this matter personally, since not only Pakistan would end up in losing one of its luxury hotels,but also the professional institution who maintained wellbeing of community, product and services. Moreover, it would be a question mark to the tourism industry, that is forecasted as to become blood circulation of the Pakistaneconomy.
On
recent visit to Hassanabdal while speaking at the inauguration of renovated Railway
Station on 6th November 2020, Pakistan’s
Prime Minister Imran Khan quoted, we have to consider Tourism as a backbone
of Pakistan economy and livelihood “If
we improve tourism, there would be no need for taking debt from IMF or any
other country. The opportunities are there we just need to take the first step
to cash that”.
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