Tourism, trade improving: experts

LAHORE
Growth has registered in tourism and businesses in Pakistan during the last one year following the positive and encouraging policies of the government, but there is still room to maintain law and order and promote education sector.
These views were expressed by the experts in the Jang Economic Session on ‘Tourism and Pakistan’s Economy’, here on Monday. The panellists were Dr Rafiq Ahmed, Managing Director PTDC Kabir Ahmed Khan, Ramzan Sheikh, Col (r) Khalid, Qalb-e-Abid, Aftab Vohra and Yousaf Baloch, while the session was hosted by Sikandar Lodhi.
Dr Rafiq Ahmed said that geographically Pakistan was an ideal location for tourism with rich historic places and natural scenery. He called for creation of awareness about tourism opportunities of Pakistan to the world. He said Pakistanis had soft corner for tourists, so the government tourism promotion institutions should make it effective. He said poor law and order damaged soft image of Pakistan and negatively impacted tourism. He called for establishing low cost hotels and motels for the promotion of local tourism.
Kabir Ahmed Khan said that Pakistan had beautiful weather, second tallest mountain, Sikh and Buddah civilisations rich assets but due to law and order issue all potential was not exploited. He said number of tourists increased during the last one year by 25 percent while income reached $350 million from tourism and public-private partnership was crucial to further push it. He said Pakistani embassies were providing information to the foreigners about the tourism opportunities which would increase tourism and employment. He said that middle class should be attracted towards tourism and easy visa policy evolved for the foreign tourists. He said Pakistan tourism club was made to promote local tourism and 20 percent discount given to the members.
Ramzan Sheikh said that the government of Pakistan should prioritise tourism and evolve a comprehensive strategy for promotion of tourism to improve country's image globally. He said the present government had been working for infrastructure development while media played its role to create the wrong impression about law and order. He called for Dubai-like permanent policy for tourism.
Col (r) Khalid said that infrastructure was being developed to promote tourism. He said the private sector was also playing its role for promotion of tourism by introducing new hotels, transport system and other facilities to make the tourism a profitable industry.
Qalb-e-Abid said that all European countries made investment for tourism promotion so that Pakistan could also promote its natural tourism assets to get economic benefits. He said investment was required to promote tourism for which public awareness was crucial. He said peace and tourism were correlated while both public and private sector should jointly work for it.
Aftab Vohra said that tourism played vital role in economy of any country but unfortunately its share in Pakistan’s economy was less than one percent.
He said different religions' important places existed in Pakistan which needed to be promoted by providing security and other facilities to fetch economic benefits. He suggested exhibition on pattern of China and Germany which would promote business, trade and tourism.
Yousaf Baloch said that northern areas of Pakistan were famous for tourism but due to lack of facilities were not being promoted. He said creation of hotel industry there would generate economic activity. He called for improving security arrangements for the safety of the tourists.