Tourist spots to remain closed during Eid holidays: Bukhari

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari announced that all tourist spots would remain closed during Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

Speaking to a delegation of Hotels, Guest Houses and Tourism Association, he said the decision has been made to protect people from the effects of the coronavirus as experienced during Eid-ul-Fitr.

Central President Gulariz Khattak, Chairman Tahir Aurakzai, General Secretary Dr Usman Qazi, Information secretary Asif Khan and Secretary Training Sulman Awan apprised about the issues and difficulties being faced by the association members.

Zulfiqar Bukhari said the year 2021 will be considered as year of tourism under the vision of the prime minister, and all avenues of recreation would open after reviewing COVID-19 favorable situation after Eid-ul-Azha.

He said tourism would be promoted throughout the country, keeping in view that effective measures were being adopted to extend maximum facilitation to all stakeholders and as well as tourists.

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He assured that all hotels, guest houses and recreational points would be declared open for tourists by the second week of August if the situation remained under control.

Responding to the recommendations of delegation members, Bukhari assured proper representation of the association in National Tourism Coordination Board. He also assured for taking up the matter of issuing interest-free loans to those whose business had been adversely affected due to pandemic.

He also assured for renewing registration of guest houses as soon as possible to mitigate the suffering of guesthouses owners. He said COVID-19 SOP’s and guidelines has been finalised in consultation with provinces and only the reply of Sindh is awaited

He said after necessary action would be taken for opening hotels and guest houses. Matters pertaining to promotion of tourism, regularisation and streamlining procedures also came under discussion.