Pakistan emerging as an attractive tourist destination: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for capitalising tourism potential through expediting infrastructure development and provision of services and other facilities.

Chairing a meeting regarding promotion of tourism in the country in Islamabad on Thursday, he said Pakistan is emerging as an attractive destination on the international tourism map owing to its beautiful natural landscape.

“Pakistan is emerging as an attractive destination on the international tourism map owing to its beautiful natural landscape. We must strive to capitalise this potential through expediting the infrastructure development, provision of services and facilitation,” the prime minister stated.

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The meeting reviewed the progress achieved so far on the earlier decisions for the promotion of tourism in the country in terms of the identified properties of PTDC and their opening for the general public particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The prime minister said government rest houses have been built on tax payers money and such properties should be a source of income instead of lying useless. He reiterated that there should be a single authority to supervise the restoration and renovation of existing tourist infrastructure in the country.

The meeting was informed that efforts are being undertaken to hold an international tourism conference in Pakistan in the coming years to further broaden the scope of tourism industry in Pakistan.

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The prime minister especially highlighted the potential of religious tourism in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PM Imran Khan recalled that international investors have shown their interest for investment in Pakistan’s tourism sector.

The meeting was informed that measures are being taken for development of new tourist destinations in KP. The prime minister directed to expedite the legislative framework and fast track the development of tourist infrastructure and services across Pakistan.

It was briefed that special facilities are being extended for Monks at Peshawar Museum and Sikhs are also being facilitated to visit various parts of the province. Special tourist apps are also being introduced for technical facilitation to the tourists.

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The meeting reviewed the progress achieved so far on the earlier decisions for the promotion of tourism in the country in terms of the identified properties of PTDC and their opening for the general public particularly in KP.

The prime minister noted that Switzerland, Turkey and Malaysia have been earning huge revenue from the tourism industry. Pakistan has diverse and rich tourism potential in terms of mountain tourism, adventure tourism, desert tourism and religious tourism.

The tourism thrust can be translated in revenue generation, employment opportunities and creation of economic activities thereby contributing towards the socio-economic development of the country.