Meetings held to explore new avenues of tourism in GB

ANTALYA: Two separately held meetings in Turkey focused on exploring the possibilities of Turkish tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) President Firuz Baglikaya and Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO) Vice President Ercan Mutlu said that they would visit GB soon along with a delegation of tour operators in order to explore new avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey.

A high level delegation from GB comprising of Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) Deputy Speaker Jafarullah Khan, GB Chief Secretary Kazim Niaz and GB Secretary Tourism Waqar Ali Khan visited Antalya and attended World Health Sport Tourism Congress and Exhibition (HESTOUREX) 2018 held from April 5-8. Leading private tour operators from GB also participated in the event. Tourism potential present in GB was highlighted at the leading health and sports tourism event in Antalya, Turkey and the local people took keen interest in the scenic beauty of this part of Pakistan.

GB Tourism Department established a pavilion at HESTOUREX 2018. More than 4000 participants from various countries attended the event. Visitors greatly appreciated the natural beauty and adventure tourism potential of GB. Among many prominent visitors was Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu who also visited the GB Pavilion. The Turkish foreign minister announced that he, along with the Turkish economy minister, would visit GB during the current year. He emphasised the need for increasing mutual touristic exchanges and linkages between the two countries.

On the sidelines of the event, the delegation also held meetings with Antalya Governor Munir Karaloglu, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Menderes Mehmet Tevfik Turel, ATSO Vice President Mutlu and TURSAB President Baglikaya.