RAWALPINDI: Speakers at a workshop stressed the need for projecting tourism sites with a view to creating soft image of the country and attracting more tourists.

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) on Monday organised a workshop on tourism in Pakistan at a local hotel.

It was attended by UNWTO Regional Director of Asia and Pacific Harry Hwang and UNWTO Expert George Drakopoulos besides tourism scholars, tour operators and stakeholders while PTDC Managing Director Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Khan presided over the workshop.

UNWTO Regional Director for Asia and Pacific Harry Hwang and UNWTO Expert George Drakopoulos in their address presented recommendations for promoting tourism in Pakistan.

Pakistani government should consider providing visa facility on arrival besides ensuring security of tourists, says UN world tourism body official

They said that Pakistan was the best country for tourism but there was a dire need to improve its image through correct projection. They said federal level tourism organisation should introduce Pakistan’s tourism sector throughout the world. The absence of Pakistan in international tourism creates negative impression.

They stressed upon the need for adopting measures and strategy to make PTDC more active besides ensuring the participation of Pakistan in international tourism exhibitions.

In this regard, UNWTO Regional Director of Asia and Pacific Harry Hwang said that his organisation was ready to extend its support to PTDC.

“Pakistani government might also consider providing visa facility on arrival besides ensuring security of tourists,” he said.

He termed the adventure tourism one of the basic elements to make Pakistan one of the top tourism destinations in the world.

PTDC Managing Director Ghafoor Khan said the workshop was being held for the promotion and development of tourism in Pakistan with the objective to portraying peace and tourist friendly image across the world.

He said the workshop would help in eliminating the negative propaganda of top tourist generating countries in the coming times.

He lauded the role of Pakistan Army as well as the present government for bringing normalcy back in Pakistan through effective measures and action to curb terrorism and improving the law and order situation.

As the security situation has been improved, Ghafoor Khan claimed, Pakistan is now a completely peaceful country, having countless opportunities for tourism.

He believed that UNWTO would also hold other events and conferences in Pakistan aimed at creating a positive impact of Pakistan in the world.

He said that PTDC is making efforts to introduce new dimensions to development of tourism with the cooperation and support of the government.

PTDC General Manager Audit Section Ali Akbar Malik while speaking on the occasion said there was a rich culture, scenic beauty, mountains, rivers, snow covered lakes, deserts in Pakistan.

The participation of UNWTO representatives in our workshops would help in projecting positive image of Pakistan among the people around the world.

Sustainable Tourism Foundation President Aftab Rana made presentation on sustainable tourism development.

Parliamentary Secretary on Climate Change, Ministry of Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam assured to mobilize young parliament forum aimed at promoting tourism in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2018