Tourism promotion plans unveiled

Minister says the sector alone can fetch $1.5b annually

ISLAMABAD:

Gandhara Task Force Chairman Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani has emphasised the potential of tourism in Pakistan, stating that the country has the capacity to generate annual revenue of $1.5 through tourism promotion.

Highlighting the progress made on the heritage policy following the tourism policy, Dr Vankwani expressed his commitment to enacting legislations to ensure continuity in this field.

During a press conference held in Islamabad, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani announced plans to organise an international Gandhara conference, scheduled to take place over three days in mid-July. The event aims to attract delegates from around the globe. He Vankwani also highlighted his previous contributions to the field of tourism, including authoring numerous articles on the subject, and expressed his dedication to making further advancements in the tourism sector of Pakistan.

Dr Vankwani outlined specific initiatives undertaken to promote tourism and cultural heritage in Pakistan.

He mentioned the observance of Buddha Parnima, a celebration held on Wednesdays, as well as his visits to archaeological sites such as Shah Allah Ditta, Takht Bahi (accompanied by ambassadors from Indonesia and Nepal), and Swat (in the presence of German and Nepalese ambassadors). These efforts were aimed at fostering partnerships and raising awareness about the rich historical sites in Pakistan.

In line with the promotion of tourism, Dr Ramesh informed the audience about the development of the Gandhara website and the establishment of connections with various provinces to bolster tourism activities. He expressed gratitude for the positive response received from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and emphasised the significance of transforming tourism into a game-changing industry for Pakistan. The website has been launched, and further developments are currently underway. The draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the international conference has been shared with diplomats, and a round table conference has been scheduled for the 5th of the month, with ambassadors from Japan, Sudan, Nepal, and other countries expressing their intention to attend.

Others who have confirmed their presence include

Prof Ruth Young from UK, Prof Luca Maria Oliveri from Italy, Prof Li Xiguang, Najy Benhassine, Lee Yoon Jung, from China, the World Bank, and South Korea.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2023.