ISLAMABAD
\nIn a landmark step to deepen bilateral tourism and promote people-to-people connectivity, senior tourism officials from Pakistan and Uzbekistan gathered here on Saturday at the Head Office of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in Islamabad for a high-level meeting dedicated to strengthening mutual tourism and cultural exchange.
\nThe meeting was attended by H.E. Mr. Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan,
\nH.E. Mr. Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Mr. Aftab Rana, Managing Director of PTDC, and prominent tourism industry stakeholders from both countries\u2019 public and private tourism sectors.
\nWelcoming the Uzbek delegation, PTDC\u2019s Managing Director Aftab Rana highlighted the shared Silk Road legacy between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, underscoring the longstanding historical, spiritual, and cultural ties between the two nations. \u201cTourism is not just an exchange of money; it is an exchange of stories, experiences, and friendships,\u201d said Aftab Rana. \u201cBy traveling to each other\u2019s countries, we become ambassadors of goodwill and build a future of peace, collaboration, and prosperity.\u201d
\nHe elaborated on Pakistan\u2019s immense tourism assets\u2014from the majestic peaks of Gilgit-Baltistan and the scenic valleys of Chitral and Swat to the rich archaeological wonders of Mohenjo-Daro and Lahore\u2019s Shahi Fort.
\nHe also stressed the importance of improving air connectivity, visa facilitation, collaborative marketing, and capacity building to unlock the full potential of tourism cooperation.
\nIn his remarks, H.E. Mr. Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, expressed appreciation for the hospitality and reaffirmed Uzbekistan\u2019s strategic intent to advance tourism relations with Pakistan. \u201cUzbekistan sees Pakistan not only as a neighbor, but as a true friend. We are committed to creating a tourism bridge that connects our peoples, cultures, and economies,\u201d he said.
\nMr. Umid Shadiev endorsed the proposals put forward by PTDC\u2019s Managing Director, particularly regarding enhanced flight operations between Tashkent and Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, streamlining visa processes, and targeted tourism promotions.
\nHe also shared that Uzbekistan has taken key structural steps to support this vision, including the establishment of a dedicated Tourism Committee under the Uzbek Government and the creation of the UN Tourism Academy in Samarkand, a world-class institution aimed at regional tourism education and training.
\nAnother significant development discussed was the updating of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in 2021, to reflect new goals, align policy frameworks, and foster deeper institutional cooperation.
\nH.E. Mr. Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan appreciated the support of PTDC in holding the Uzbek tourism roadshows at Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. He assured his cooperation to strengthen ties among the tour operators of both sides to promote group tours.
\nThe two sides agreed on the key initiatives to boost bilateral tourism which included launching joint cultural festivals and heritage tourism packages,promoting youth, media, and professional exchange programs, enhancing direct flight connectivity and simplifying visa regimes to promote group tours,increasing awareness of tourism destinations through joint digital and media campaigns, strengthening B2B collaborations between travel agencies and tour operators, supporting capacity building and workforce training through institutions like the UN Tourism Academy at Samarkand and COTHM in Pakistan.
\nBoth countries are members of ECO and these steps will also greatly support the promotion of regional tourism. The meeting concluded with a mutual resolve to make tourism a cornerstone of Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations\u2014paving the way for economic growth, cultural diplomacy, lasting friendship and regional cooperation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD In a landmark step to deepen bilateral tourism and promote people-to-people connectivity, senior tourism officials from Pakistan and Uzbekistan gathered here on Saturday at the Head Office of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in Islamabad for a high-level meeting dedicated to strengthening mutual tourism and cultural exchange. The meeting was attended by H.E. Mr. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":472124,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-472106","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n