President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari has said that tourism is among the fastest growing industries in the world. Many countries are earning billions of dollars annually only through this industry. Last year, more than 200 million tourists traveled to different countries around the world. Pakistan has not yet become an international tourism spot due to several reasons, despite having immense potential in terms of tourism. The ICCI Tourism Summit to be held in Skardu next week under Islamabad Chamber of Commerce is an attempt to attract global tourism. The ambassadors of different countries participating in the conference will be the cause of conveying the positive image of the country to the world.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, he said that millions of tourists visited KPK and northern regions during the Eid holiday only, which is still going on. Despite many obstacles including lack of infrastructure, lack of regulations in the hotel industry, the beauty of these areas attracts tourists. Pakistan has the best tourism resources in the form of KPK, Kashmir and especially the northern regions to attract tourists from all over the world. Due to the sacrifices of the brave forces, people and security agencies, a major obstacle in terms of security has been removed.

To increase the share of the tourism industry in the country’s GDP, bringing in foreign tourists is essential. The government needs to focus on it. He said that this year there is a possibility of earning 2000 billion dollars in the world through the tourism industry which was 1451 in 2018.Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. In the last few years, there has been a decline in tourism in the Muslim world, which is mainly due to the incidents of terrorism.

Egypt is earning 50% of its GDP from tourism. Similarly, Turkey, Malaysia, Maldives, some African countries, Dubai, Saudi Arabia are examples for Pakistan, which have focused heavily on tourism. Arab countries are focusing on tourism and other industries by ending their dependence on oil, in this regard, Dubai and Saudi Arabia have invested billions of dollars. Pakistan also needs to think on the same lines. To attract the attention of international tourists to Pakistan, we have to adopt the Turkish model.

Pakistan needs to start direct flights, ease of visa processing, international branding of the country’s tourist destinations. Many international organizations have declared Pakistan as the best tourism spot in the world, while with the presence of many highest peaks in the world including K-2, Nanga Parbat, Pakistan can also become the center of adventure tourism.

Nepal earned about 1300 million dollars last year through one of its peaks, Mount Everest, while 6 of the world’s 15 highest peaks are in Pakistan. Adventure tourism is important in the western world. The government needs to take steps in this regard. He said that the main objective of the tourism conference held under the Islamabad Chamber is to attract the world to this most beautiful region. I hope this conference will be a milestone for the promotion of tourism in the northern regions.