Abstract ID: 3.12098 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Murree, one of the most visited hill resorts in Pakistan, is renowned for its colonial architecture that include churches, educational and administrative buildings and commercial areas built during British rule of Indian Sub-continent. Most of these buildings especially churches (Trinity Church, sacred heart church and St. Denis church) and schools (St. Denis school, Convent of Jesus and Marry, Convent Presentation) are controlled by Christian community and all buildings are well preserved. Use of all these buildings for tourism purposes shall not only improve the heritage tourism at the destination site but can serve as an important source of income for the specific community who are generally considered as marginalized community.

Terrorist attacks on the Christian properties and churches in other parts of the country and sudden fire at Chapal of Saint Denis school Murree raised serious concerns regarding security of colonial heritage especially related to Christian educational complexes and religious buildings resulting in fear among the local Christian population and closing of these properties for tourists. The ongoing threats have also discouraged investment in heritage conservation, reducing the role of these historic institutions in promoting tourism, especially religious tourism, and raising concerns about their long-term survival.

This research examines the potential of this colonial architecture as heritage tourism products, impact of security concerns in promotion of heritage tourism and future of heritage tourism in Murree. By analyzing threats to missionary schools and churches, the study emphasizes the importance of stronger security measures, community resilience initiatives, and efforts to ensure heritage protection, religious harmony, and the sustainable development of tourism in the region.