Call for promoting sustainable tourism

PTDC MD pitches for introduction of tourism as subject in schools

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director (DG) Aftabur Rahman Rana has emphasised the need to introduce tourism as a subject in schools and establish more academies to create awareness about responsible tourism in the country.

Announcing the date for the upcoming "Tourism Education Conference", he said the conference will be held in February under the auspices of PTDC.

“The purpose of the conference is to raise national prestige worldwide and promote local tourism.”

He said heads of educational institutions and students will participate in the moot.

Talking to The Express Tribune, he said the government is taking concrete steps to promote tourism in the country which can become a major source of income for the country. PTDC is launching an awareness campaign about responsible tourism through social and electronic media platforms, he added.

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The PTDC MD said a plan to establish five to six hospitals in different cities of the country is under consideration to ensure quality health facilities for tourists with the support of the Ministry of Health.

The hospitals will offer surgery, transplants, and other medical facilities to tourists. He said that PTDC is also introducing a 'National Calendar of Events' using which tourists can easily plan their travel during their holidays. “Pakistan is a country that holds religious importance for the followers of many religions.

Religious tourism is an important sector of the country's tourism industry, which includes tourism related to Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism and Christianity.”

He said the number of foreign tourists visiting Pakistan increased by 115% in the year 2023.

Recently, PTDC has also launched a new website for online bookings, he said. “Pakistan is known for its hospitality, which will create a more pleasant environment for tourists.”

Pakistan is also improving its infrastructure including airports, roads and public transport to make travel within the country easier for tourists, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2024.