Prime Minister\u2019s Coordinator for Tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Tuesday said that Pakistan, blessed with natural beauty, historic monuments, rare cultural heritage, ancient festivals, and diverse religious sites, is a paradise for tourists and has the potential to earn $30\u201340 billion annually through tourism if developed on modern lines.
\nIn an exclusive interview with APP, he said Pakistan will host a grand international \u201cTourism Road Expo\u201d in November this year to promote the country\u2019s hidden treasures. The event will feature Pakistani cuisine, global chefs, cooking competitions, and detailed promotion of Pakistan\u2019s tourist attractions. Later, similar expos will also be organized in London, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia.
\nSardar Yasir said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s decision to grant tourism the status of an industry is a historic and far-reaching step that will strengthen the economy and enhance Pakistan\u2019s global image. \u201cTourism has been neglected for a long time, especially after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, when provinces made individual efforts. Now a comprehensive strategy has been prepared to revive and promote the sector,\u201d he added.
\nUnder this plan, the National Tourism Coordination Board will be revived and restructured to ensure harmony between the federation and provinces.
\nTo attract investment, the government has decided to lease inactive government properties to local and foreign investors for 50 to 60 years for tourism-related projects. Digital tourism portals are also being developed where visitors will find details about attractions, hotel bookings, weather updates, and essential travel information, he added.
\nSardar Yasir announced a new international branding slogan for Pakistan:
\n\u201cPakistan: Where Beauty Greets, History Speaks, and Adventure Leaves.\u201d
\nHe said this will project Pakistan\u2019s diverse opportunities, including medical tourism, religious tourism, adventure tourism, and eco-tourism.
\nHe stressed that deforestation and climate change pose grave threats to tourism and the environment. Large-scale afforestation and removal of encroachments on rivers and lakes are vital to protect the ecosystem. He said climate change is a global tragedy, but in Pakistan, forest cutting directly endangers both biodiversity and tourism.
\nListing upcoming initiatives, he said projects are being considered at F-9 Park and Lake View Park in Islamabad, including food streets and three mini-parks. A safari forest in Fateh Jang and several other tourism ventures are also under review.
\nOn religious and cultural tourism, he said the government is paying special attention to providing more facilities for Sikh pilgrims. Gurdwaras and Buddhist sites will be restored and handed over to their respective communities, along with necessary facilities for caretaking and worship.
\nSardar Yasir noted that Pakistan\u2019s visa policy has been greatly simplified. Tourists from 126 countries can now obtain online visas, visa fees have been abolished, and further facilitation is underway. He said foreign tourists are always astonished by Pakistan\u2019s landscapes, cultural heritage, and hospitality, and the government\u2019s goal is to ensure more travelers discover this \u201chidden paradise.\u201d
\nHe underlined that tourism has never been marketed properly in Pakistan. \u201cCountries like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan attract millions of tourists annually despite offering less geographical diversity and fewer seasons than Pakistan. We must highlight our unmatched potential globally,\u201d he said.
\nHe also revealed that the government plans to promote Pakistan\u2019s image abroad through social media and vlogs, which are powerful tools to inspire international travelers.
\nFocusing on youth, Sardar Yasir urged them to acquire skills in e-commerce, crypto, and technology, while also exploring opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector. \u201cTourism creates jobs, empowers communities, and builds a positive global image of Pakistan,\u201d he emphasized.
\n\u201cBy leveraging our natural beauty, heritage, and culture, we can make Pakistan one of the world\u2019s most attractive destinations,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Prime Minister\u2019s Coordinator for Tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Tuesday said that Pakistan, blessed with natural beauty, historic monuments, rare cultural heritage, ancient festivals, and diverse religious sites, is a paradise for tourists and has the potential to earn $30\u201340 billion annually through tourism if developed on modern lines. In an exclusive interview with APP, he […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":501390,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-503152","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n