PTDC launches Rawalpindi-Naran bus service

Rawalpindi: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Chaudhry Kabir Ahmad Khan here on Monday launched seasonal bus service between Rawalpindi and Naran to promote domestic tourism in the country.
Talking to media persons, the managing director said that both national and international tourists can avail the service of Rawalpindi-Naran bus service. He said PTDC was also providing special discounted tour packages to families, students and foreign tourists.
The PTDC started the bus service in 1997 which is successfully being operated to date. The bus service operates from June to August. One-way fare is Rs1,500 per person and the bus will leave Rawalpindi at 0900 hours every day. The journey takes 8 hours.
Thousands of tourists visit Naran, Kaghan valley by utilising this service. In order to develop tourism infrastructure in the country, PTDC has established 39 motels in far-flung areas of Pakistan where private sector was shy to invest.
He said PTDC has set up Tourism Friends Club and registration was underway. He said 20 per cent discount would be given to the members on the facilities being provided at all hotels, motels and tourist resorts operating across the country. He said interested persons could get themselves registered with the club by paying Rs500, while annual fee would be Rs1,500 for each member. “Purpose of the club is to promote tourism activities and provide better tourist facilities at affordable rates to its members to upkeep and maintain better standards,” he said.
The PTDC Naran motel is situated on the bank of the river and has 60 rooms, huts and cottages in it for the accommodation purposes, he added. The environment of Naran is very pleasant and peaceful. The PTDC is operating around 15 Tourist Information Centres all over the country for the last 30 years to provide information, travel guide, brochures and maps to tourists for planning their holidays.
To a question he said with the restoration of peace in the country tourism activities would be flourished. “Tourism activities in the country would defeat the terrorism, he added.The MD urged media to highlight positive image of the country abroad. Negative propaganda of international media had badly affected tourism and it was the responsibility of the local media to highlight positive image of the country, he added.