Home »Business and Economy » Pakistan » Sartaj Aziz urges public-private sector vendors to help promote tourism industry

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  • Apr 25th, 2017
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Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz Monday urged public-private sector joint ventures to help promote tourism industry in the country, saying the government alone cannot make this happen.

Speaking at National Tourism Conference titled 'Building the National Economy Through Sustainable Tourism,' organised by Islamabad Serena Hotel, the adviser stated if tourism in Pakistan is developed on the right lines, it can make an important contribution to growth and employment. This, however, requires close co-operation between public and private sectors, he said, adding the tourism industry needs not only secure conditions, but also infrastructure development, guide points, hygienic food, good transport and comfortable accommodation facilities. "The government alone cannot provide these," he said, adding the government has already declared tourism as an industry and has offered numerous incentives in this sector. While there is a need to develop high class hotels, tourist resorts and theme parks, he said, simultaneously a huge demand exists for affordable accommodation facilities for middle class travellers. At the moment, he pointed out that not many private companies are involved in this industry in Pakistan. He said that the number of tourists every year has been showing an increasing trend.

Earlier this year, he said that the government organised an international skiing festival and tournament in Malam Jabba, Swat, which was a huge success, adding the skiers from Europe and other regions participated in the event, besides the local tourists. He said that the government is also expanding facilities for religious tourism for Buddhist sites.

Aziz pointed out that the medium and long-term plan of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) also envisages expanded tourist infrastructure build-up, especially along the serene blue and golden sandy coastline of Pakistan. "We also need international investors to bring forth the high standards of hospitality, travel, hygienic foods, safety and security to the target tourist areas," he added.

He said that the concept of eco-tourism is also very important for the preservation of natural resources for the next generations. "We need to be mindful of the environmental degradation and promote sustainable tourism without losing the country's biodiversity," he added. He said that a stable, strong and economically developed Pakistan is not a distant dream but an approaching reality, if only every single sector of the economy is ready to put in its contribution and strengths for the prosperity of people of this country.

He said that Pakistan has been bestowed with countless blessings in the form of beautiful and captivating natural landscape. From the mighty stretches of the Karakorams and Himalayas in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, he stated that Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and natural beauty.

Trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, hunting, desert jeep safaris, camel and yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching are examples of activities, which entice adventure tourists and nature lovers to Pakistan, he added. He said that the historical and cultural heritage also offers many opportunities to the tourists of this ancient land. He said that places like Swat, Kalam, Malam Jabba, Shangla, Balakot, Ayubia, Murree, Chitral, Gilgit, Naran and Kaghan valleys, mountain ranges, historical, and many archaeological sites in other parts of the country are attracting tourists. He pointed out that Northern Pakistan remains a land of contrasts, unique in its legacy of landlocked civilisation and blessed as no other destination with an amazing array of some of the most beautiful valleys, lakes, rivers and mountains.

The junction of four of the world's most formidable mountain ranges Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Himalayas, and Pamirs forms a unique landscape for climbers, trekkers, mountaineers and hikers, he added. Aziz pointed out that the world has 10 peaks over 8,000 metres above sea level, while Pakistan has the distinction of having five of these peaks including the second tallest mountain, K-2. "We also have the largest glaciers on the globe outside the polar region, which offers tremendous attractions for adventurers," he added. He said that tourism, as a multidimensional business activity has grown to be a multi-trillion dollars industry world-wide, employing more than 200 million people around the globe and contributing more than US $600 billion in direct and indirect taxes each year to global economic development.

Acting Country Director World Bank, Anthony Cholst, in his remarks stated that tourism in Pakistan was badly affected by terrorism, but the industry is again on the track of revival. He said that it is important that local people, especially the women, should be engaged for the promotion of tourism industry in Pakistan, which contributes 2.9 per cent to the country's GDP. He said that the investment coming from China in CPEC would also contribute to promotion of tourism in Pakistan, adding that the World Bank is ready to help promote tourism in the country. In his opening remarks CEO Serena Hotels, Aziz Boolani stated that the conference is aimed at reviving and promoting the tourism industry in the country, besides identifying the challenges being faced to the industry.



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