Pakistan government to set up central body to promote tourism — minister

ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary said on Friday the government planned to set up a “central body” to promote Pakistan as a tourist destination, as the inaugural National Tourism Awards of Excellence were held in Islamabad.

Organized by Discover Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), the awards aim to recognize and honor contributions of individuals and organizations in the tourism and hospitality sectors across Pakistan. The event had 300 participants, including diplomats, senior government officials and private sector stakeholders, and awards were distributed in 20 categories.

“Government is trying to work to create a central body to promote Pakistan as a tourist destination and to coordinate with the provinces, so with this central body, I think the tourism development will also get more boost,” Chaudhary told Arab News on the sideline of the awards. 

The tourism sector contributes 5.8 percent to the national GDP and more than 4.7 million people are employed in the sector, Aftab Rana, PTDC Managing Director, told Arab News. 

“So, by promoting tourism, on the one hand, we can improve the economy of Pakistan and on the other hand, we can create lots of jobs for young people,” Rana added. 

The previous government of then PM Imran Khan in 2019 loosened travel restrictions in the hope of reviving tourism by offering visas on arrival to visitors from 50 countries and electronic visas to 175 nationalities.

World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, underscores the role of tourism in promoting economic growth, cultural exchange and sustainability. This year’s theme, “Tourism & Peace,” emphasizes the power of tourism to connect people across borders, fostering mutual respect, reducing tensions and building global harmony. 

The day also highlights tourism’s contributions to job creation, cultural preservation and responsible travel.