Major hurdle to tourism

KARACHI: The private sector of South Asia has identified visa issue as one of the major hurdles in promoting intra-SAARC tourism, according to Annisul Haq, President South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI).

To discuss the issues and problems faced by South Asian countries in promoting tourism in the region, the SAARC CCI organised consultations on the tourism potential in South Asia in Colombo, Sri Lanka recently.

The SAARC CCI asked South Asian governments to revisit their visa policies and called for a flexible visa regime to promote tourism in the region.

The conference concluded with the adoption of a set of policy proposals. These included a flexible visa regime should be ensured by all member states, issuance of multiple visas for at least six months and a travel visa card.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2010.