Pakistan and Azad Kashmir observe World Tourism Day
Islamabad, Pakistan: The World Tourism Day was observed in Pakistan as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir to raise awareness among people about its importance and positive outcome for promotion of tourism. Special ceremonies were held in various parts of Pakistan and AJK including capital cities of Islamabad and Muzaffarabad as well as the major cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Mirpur, Rawalakot and Bhimbher.
The Region Initiative (TRI) celebrated World Tourism Day in Lahore by holding easy competitions among students while other events included seminars and symposiums, under the auspices of the AJK Tourism Department with the coordination of the local NGOs and tour operator groups.
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation has fixed October 6 to celebrate the event due to Eid holidays. The AJK Anglers Association’s President invited the people to become part of World Tourism Day.
It may be mentioned that Theme for 2015 was “One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities” and Burkina Faso hosts the Official Celebration 2015.
It may be mentioned that International tourist arrivals grew by 4.3 % in 2014 to 1.133 billion. In 2014, international tourism generated US$ 1.5 trillion in export earnings UNWTO forecasts a growth in international tourist arrivals of between 3% and 4% in 2015.
Pakistan has almost out of world tourism map due to terrorism in the country since year 1999. Pakistan did not attend UNWTO General Assembly for almost 10 years but this year it attended the Assembly on the personal initiative of Federal Minister for Information and Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rasheed. While talking to Dispatch News Desk (DND), Mr. Rasheed said that Pakistan government was committed to improve tourism in Pakistan and Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif was giving special attention to tourism planning in the country.
Situation in Pakistan getting better in Pakistan and terrorists have been defeating by Pakistan Army since June 2014 when Pakistan officially launched operation against terrorism.
