Solid measures stressed to promote tourism industry
- September 27, 2013, 6:31 pm
- National News
- 147 Views
ISLAMABAD, Sep 27 (APP): Speakers on Friday at a seminar on " Present
Problems of Pakistan Tourism", underlined the need for taking solid measures to promote tourism industry to achieve the country's economic development.
Speaking at the moot held by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of
Commerce and Industry in connection with World Tourism Day, Secretary Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination, Faridullah Khan said concreted and workable recommendations should be forwarded to revive the country's tourism industry.
He said there was a need to provide enhanced ownership to the private
sector, enabling it to play more effective role for the tourism sector's development.
He said solid measures were needed to be taken to eradicate
red-tappism and bureaucratic hurdles in order to encourage more tourists.
Salman Javed Chairman FPCCI's standing committee on travel and tourism
said a concept paper had been worked to build an organization at federal level to effectively coordinate among concerned departments of the industry.
He said the paper had been prepared in consultation with all
stakeholder and 12 committee comprising professionals and trained people to revive the country's tourism sector.
Amjad Ayub President Pakistan Tour Operation Association said though Tourism was given industrial status but unfortunately it was deprived of industrial benefits.
He was of the view that Pakistan embassies could play effective role in promoting the country's tourism industry.
He said in past the governments did not appoint professional and trained persons in the tourism ministry which hampered progress.
He said concrete measures should be taken for promoting adventurism, tourism and the country could earn massive revenues as a result, he added.
He said tourism was federal subject worldover but here it was devolved, saying a board at federal level should be formed compressing enhanced members of the private sector to promote the tourism sector.
Mustaq Rana MD sustainable development corpation said the country's domestic tourism stood at 5.5 billion and the number could further be increased.
He said several measures including quality assurance, trained human, private sector respresenation and protection of tourist sites should be ensured for the tourism sector's uplift.
Chaudhry Iqbal, representative of travel agent association said powers for issuance of licences should be given to federal government to conivently resolve issues of the travel agents.
Many people around the world celebrate United Nation's World Tourism Day on September, 27 each year.
The day aims to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic
values.
Centered on the theme `Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future', World Tourism Day 2013 will focuses on tourism's significant role and contribution to worldwide water conservation efforts
