‘Tourism a growing sector’

Tourism and hospitality would be offering 76 million jobs by 2022

MULTAN: Tourism and hospitality is emerging as the second biggest growing sector in the world and would be offering 76 million jobs by 2022, stated College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) Executive Director Waqas Raza. Speaking to APP on Wednesday, he said that the influx of tourists coming to Pakistan had witnessed a 200% increase in 2018-2019 as compared to previous years. He attributed this increase to social media which had given people easy access to scenic spots. He maintained that institutions providing trained manpower to the tourism and hospitality sector were flourishing. He revealed that diplomas, certificate courses and MSc programmes were being offered at a subsidised rate and over 80% of their trained workforce manages to secure jobs in Pakistan or abroad. He stated that COTHM had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germany for internship programmes for trained workers and professionals. He said that Multan was poised to emerge as a centre for tourism as many established brands are preparing to step into the city of saints.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2019.