Govt to promote tourism as national cause: Zulfi Bukhari

Is framing short, long-term plans to boost tourism, will revamp PTDC

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has massive potential to attract tourists and the government will promote tourism as a national cause to open the country for local and foreign tourists, said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari.

Speaking at the Pakistan Tourism Summit held at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Tuesday, the PM aide pointed out that Prime Minister Imran Khan was himself keen on promoting Pakistan as a tourist destination.

“Tourism is a highly profitable sector and private enterprises should come forward to invest in this industry,” he emphasised, while promising full support from the government.

Revealing that the government was framing short and long-term plans to encourage tourism, Bukhari reaffirmed that inbound tourism would be the centre of focus as its promotion would pave the way for attracting foreign tourists.

He termed the removal of NOC requirement for foreigners by the government a big step for the promotion of tourism. He said the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) would also be revamped to help the sector flourish.



Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Ahmed Hassan Moughal praised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s interest in promoting tourism.

He said the purpose of the summit was to highlight Pakistan’s tourism potential in order to attract a higher number of tourists into the country. “Tourism will help increase foreign currency reserves, promote business and investment and create more jobs in the country,” he voiced hope.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2019.

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