ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor has said that it is now the time to promote a soft tourist-friendly image of Pakistan over the world.
In a meeting with the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Sardar Mehtab Abbasi in Islamabad on Friday, the managing director PTDC said that cooperation between different organizations and involvement of public private partnership is required.
The managing director PTDC said that there are countless opportunities where 5 out of 14 world’s highest peaks and largest glaciers outside polar region. He said that the valleys, lakes, deserts and other tourist attractions make Pakistan matchless from the world. Likewise, he added that the cultural and historical milieu with unique cuisine are world famous.
“We are about to launch Islamabad City Bus Tour Service very soon,” he said adding that Chakwal has been declared as Model Tourist District and meetings with the heads of Chambers of Commerce and Industries are also in progress.
Ghafoor said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed that PTDC should take all measures to promote and develop tourism industry in Pakistan. He said that the prime minister desires that Pakistan should be recognized as brand of quality tourism all over the world so that it can contribute to the economy by earning foreign exchange for the country.
For the purpose, he added, PTDC will also be provided with required funds.
The managing director further said that existing PTDC motels are being upgraded and we are exploring new areas new motels will be setup. He said that there are numerous places in Pakistan where tourist facilities can be developed and PTDC will play a pivotal role in this development.
In addition, he said that we are working in sports, fine arts and health tourism to introduce new features of tourism in the country. He said that we are in process of finalizing some agreements with international airlines and to educate youth in the sector, proposals are under consideration with different universities to introduce B.S. degree programs through HEC so that we may input quality manpower to the sector.
“We have requested the Prime Minister to include tourism in National Development Plan and also retain PTDC on federal level,” he added.
Sardar Mehtab Abbasi said that the efforts of PTDC in development and promotion of tourism in the country are appreciable and we are hopeful that with proper publicity and promotion, the tourism industry in Pakistan will flourish. government of Pakistan is willing to provide all support for the purpose.
