Ahead of the World Tourism Day, Punjab government has decided to introduce a new route of the country’s first tourist double decker bus service, Sightseeing Lahore.
A spokesperson for the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) told The Express Tribune that the new route of the double decker tourist bus services is being introduced through the historical part of the metropolis on the eve of the World Tourism Day on Sunday, September 27.
The new route includes a visit to the historic Grand Trunk Road having tourist attractions like the world renowned Shalimar Gardens, and the tombs of Buddhu (Budhu ka awa) and Dai Anga. Earlier, the tourist buses were plying from Gaddafi Stadium to Greater Iqbal Park and Wagah border. However, the Wagah border route has not been restored yet aftet its suspension owing to the coronavirus lockdown.
The Punjab tourism department also plans to host a cultural event at the Shalimar Gardens on the eve of the World Tourism Day. Punjab Chief Minister’s Adviser Asif Mahmood on Tuesday presided over a meeting to review arrangements of the function. He highlighted that the main event will be held in Shalimar Gardens and Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar will be the chief guest.
He directed officials concerned that as the theme of the World Tourism Day for this year is “Tourism and Rural Development”, all programmes and events should reflect it. He expressed his dissatisfaction over the TDCP’s presentation and directed the corporation to prepare a comprehensive plan for the World Tourism Day.
The meeting decided to hold full-dress rehearsal for the event on Saturday. Artistes wearing Mughal court dresses will present a stage show. The participants were informed that encroachment in front of Shalimar Gardens had been removed, but a few hawkers continued their work during late hours.
Tourism, pandemic and sustainability
The adviser instructed the officials concerned that no such activity should be allowed in front of the world heritage site. The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), Punjab Archaeology Department and district administration should collaborate for preservation and beautification of archaeological sites, he added.
The meeting was attended by PHA Director General Jawad Ahmed Qureshi, Archaeology Department Director General Ilyas Gill, TDCP Managing Director Tanvir Jabbar and representatives of the district administration.
The double decker tourist bus service was launched during the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Lahore. However, the Buzdar government, last month, extended the scope of the Sightseeing Double Decker Tourist Bus Service to Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The chief minister has also announced a plan to start double decker tourist bus services in Bahawalpur and other cities for the promotion of tourism.
Various studies have highlighted that Pakistan has a vast tourism potential owing to its geographical location and diversity of historical, cultural, spiritual and archaeological heritage sites. The country provides tourists rich opportunities to visit the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, Mughal and British era monuments and religious places related to Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism.
The Punjab Economic Report issued recently points out that only the Sikh tourism in Punjab has a $34 million annual potential with 85,000 jobs. It indicates that Buddhist tourism could generate around $17 million with about 35,000 jobs. Similarly, Punjab Growth Strategy (PGS)-2023 document shows that the province can generate around $2 billion worth of income in the tourism sector annually, elucidating that domestic tourism has a potential of around $1 billion per year while creating 250,000 jobs.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2020.
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