Tourism development: Shuttle bus service to be launched for Murree
Chief minister says revival of tourism can create thousands of jobs.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. PHOTO: INP/FILE
LAHORE:
“The Tourism Development Corporation of the Punjab will soon launch a shuttle service from Bhara Kahoo to Murree to address the problem of traffic congestion on Murree Road,” Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif said at the inauguration ceremony of the Lahore International Tourism Expo on Saturday.
Sharif said Murree was a popular tourist destination and was facing immense traffic congestion.
The chief minister said reviving tourism was the need of the hour. He said Pakistan was a beautiful country and it was unfortunate that its citizens were unable to access some of the areas because of security concerns.
He said a boost for tourism would generate thousands of jobs. He said the government had launched a number of projects in this regard. He said the Walled City of Lahore Authority was restoring several historic sites at the Walled City and had already launched a number of programmes to encourage tourists to visit the area.
He said the TDCP would soon introduce a shuttle bus service to resolve traffic problems at Murree. He said tourist resorts would be developed to encourage tourists to visit Pakistan.
Delegations and diplomats from Turkey, Nepal and UK were present. The chief minister presented souvenirs to heads of foreign delegations participating in the tourism expo.
The chief minister said delegations from several countries visited Lahore and had been impressed by the facilities provided to them.
“Participation of these delegations is evidence that Pakistan is a peaceful country,” he said.
He thanked the delegates and said the government would welcome their proposals for promotion of tourism.
Minister for Education and Tourism Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan also spoke on the occasion. He said work was being carried out on a theme park in Lahore. He said the government was working on its first tourism policy which would be announced later this year.
TDCP officials said they would start a convertible bus service for tourists so that they could enjoy the weather and the scenery. They said some details of the plan were yet to be finalised.
More than 100 stalls were set up at the expo highlighting various tourism activities.
Representatives of hotel and airline industries, tourism clubs, tourism agents and the Pakistan Navy have set up stalls at the expo. A group of Turkish dancers also performed traditional dances.
An artist performed a traditional Rubab Mangi at the stall for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Rubina Ghalib, sales manager of Serena Hotel, it was important to promote tourism not only to bring business but also to promote a positive image of the country.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Tourism and Archaeology Assistant Director (Publicity) Raiesud Din said people from Punjab visited Kashmir more than any other place.
He said there were more than 30 tourist destinations in Kashmir and dozens of unexplored sites.
He said government was working on improving infrastructure and that with better roads, tourist would be able to explore more areas.
Sultan Madad from Karim-a-bad Hunza had set up a stall of gems, where he had more than 20 different types of the stones on display.
He said the government should help promote the gem industry of the country. He said there were vast reserves of many precious stones such as tourmaline, aquamarine stone and rubies.
He said tourmaline and aquamarine stones were being exported to China. He said that they could fetch better prices but given trade restrictions, they were left with no other option.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2014.
“The Tourism Development Corporation of the Punjab will soon launch a shuttle service from Bhara Kahoo to Murree to address the problem of traffic congestion on Murree Road,” Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif said at the inauguration ceremony of the Lahore International Tourism Expo on Saturday.
Sharif said Murree was a popular tourist destination and was facing immense traffic congestion.
The chief minister said reviving tourism was the need of the hour. He said Pakistan was a beautiful country and it was unfortunate that its citizens were unable to access some of the areas because of security concerns.
He said a boost for tourism would generate thousands of jobs. He said the government had launched a number of projects in this regard. He said the Walled City of Lahore Authority was restoring several historic sites at the Walled City and had already launched a number of programmes to encourage tourists to visit the area.
He said the TDCP would soon introduce a shuttle bus service to resolve traffic problems at Murree. He said tourist resorts would be developed to encourage tourists to visit Pakistan.
Delegations and diplomats from Turkey, Nepal and UK were present. The chief minister presented souvenirs to heads of foreign delegations participating in the tourism expo.
The chief minister said delegations from several countries visited Lahore and had been impressed by the facilities provided to them.
“Participation of these delegations is evidence that Pakistan is a peaceful country,” he said.
He thanked the delegates and said the government would welcome their proposals for promotion of tourism.
Minister for Education and Tourism Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan also spoke on the occasion. He said work was being carried out on a theme park in Lahore. He said the government was working on its first tourism policy which would be announced later this year.
TDCP officials said they would start a convertible bus service for tourists so that they could enjoy the weather and the scenery. They said some details of the plan were yet to be finalised.
More than 100 stalls were set up at the expo highlighting various tourism activities.
Representatives of hotel and airline industries, tourism clubs, tourism agents and the Pakistan Navy have set up stalls at the expo. A group of Turkish dancers also performed traditional dances.
An artist performed a traditional Rubab Mangi at the stall for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Rubina Ghalib, sales manager of Serena Hotel, it was important to promote tourism not only to bring business but also to promote a positive image of the country.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Tourism and Archaeology Assistant Director (Publicity) Raiesud Din said people from Punjab visited Kashmir more than any other place.
He said there were more than 30 tourist destinations in Kashmir and dozens of unexplored sites.
He said government was working on improving infrastructure and that with better roads, tourist would be able to explore more areas.
Sultan Madad from Karim-a-bad Hunza had set up a stall of gems, where he had more than 20 different types of the stones on display.
He said the government should help promote the gem industry of the country. He said there were vast reserves of many precious stones such as tourmaline, aquamarine stone and rubies.
He said tourmaline and aquamarine stones were being exported to China. He said that they could fetch better prices but given trade restrictions, they were left with no other option.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2014.