Minister inaugurates PTDC’s Daman-e-Koh Restaurant, says government is promoting tourism
Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada has said that the present government was determined, committed and serious to promote tourism in the country.
Talking to journalists after inaugurating Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Daman-e-Koh Restaurant, he said “Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had issued clear cut instructions for the revival of tourism sector in the country.”
Pirzada said that tourism sector in the world was playing an important role for flourishing the economy and the prime minister had asked the PTDC to focus attention to improve the condition of hotels and motels.
The minister said that terrorism in the country had badly affected tourism and sports. He recalled that Malamjaba picnic resort blast and tourists’ killing in Gilgit Baltistan had also earned bad name for Pakistan.
Pirzada expressed hope that due to steps taken by the government, peace would be restored in the country and international tourists would start arriving. He said more beautiful places would be identified and made attractive for tourists. He said Tourism Ministry had been devolved after the 18th Amendment but the government was still working to promote tourism at federal level.
To a question, he said, summary had been sent to prime minister for the release of funds for tourism projects. To a question he said foreign tourists would be provided foolproof security. He said the federal government had directed the chief ministers to provide security to tourists in the provinces. Pakistan Army is also cooperating in providing security to tourists, he added.
On the occasion, PTDC Managing Director Chaudhry Kabir Ahmed said that Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) had lunched Tourism Friends Club and invited applications for membership to promote tourism activities in the country. He said card holders would be provided 20 percent discount on the facilities being provided at all hotels, motels and tourist resorts operating across the country.
“Purpose of the club is to promote tourism activities and provide better tourist facilities at affordable rates to its members and maintain better standards,” he said. He said negotiations were underway with Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) for getting 20 percent discount for the cardholders aimed at providing them cheap travelling facilities.
The PTDC MD expressed resolve to make PTDC a profit-earning entity and improve country’s image abroad for which special tourism desks would be set up in different countries. He said there was a dire need to introduce Pakistan’s culture and tourism on international level and since 1970 PTDC was working hard to promote the beautiful picnic spots situated in far-flung areas, especially where the private sector was shy to invest. The MD said PTDC buses operating on China and India routes would be replaced soon.
