Aik din sadion ka safar’ journey for promotion of domestic tourism in Pakistan

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‘Aik din sadion ka safar’ journey for promotion of domestic tourism in Pakistan​

TDCP to start bus service in Lahore​

* Four buses to cover landmarks, run with half hour gaps
* Interactive website to provide information to tourists​

LAHORE: Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) is all set to start a bus service by the end of March on the pattern of the London Metro Tourist Bus Service for tourists visiting Lahore, Daily Times has learnt.

TDCP is a public limited company owned by the Punjab government. The bus service will aim to showcase the various shades of Lahore and highlight the historical landmarks of the city, in order to promote tourism. The buses, whose journey route has been called ‘Aik din sadion ka safar’ (One day – a journey of centuries), will cover all the major markers of the city. The places on the bus route will include Liberty Market, Defence Housing Authority, Ichhra, The Mall, Jail Road, Cantonment, Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Museum, Anarkali among other places.

Tourists will be able to buy tickets for the historical landmarks and other tourist attractions –Lahore Museum, Zoo, Lahore Fort –on the bus. The buses will run with a half hour gap, allowing tourists to get off at places of their choice and be picked up again after half an hour by the next bus.

Four buses: Four buses have been allocated for the service at the initial stage. These buses have been painted to portray the city’s indigenous colours. A special jingle – ‘Aa dekh mera Punjab’ (Come see my Punjab) – has also been composed for the service. The various stanzas of the song talk about different parts of the province. A video of this jingle is also being prepared. A documentary about the city will also be screened in the buses to inform the tourists about the sites they visit.

TDCP Managing Director (MD) Mian Waheedud Din told Daily Times that the concept behind the bus service was to promote and strengthen domestic tourism. He said the number of foreigners visiting the country had decreased over the past few years, and the government planned to facilitate the number of locals who wanted to go sight-seeing in Lahore. He said the citizens of Lahore will enjoy the bus service and it will be a special treat for people visiting from outside the city. He said the tickets for the bus ride would be affordable. He said a special ‘tourist police’ will also be constituted and will be trained to guide the tourists. The police will be given sophisticated weapons, he said.

Website: The TDCP MD said an interactive website of the Tourism Department was also being developed to facilitate tourists. The website will provide information about tourist resorts and the packages available to them. People will be able to post their own comments on the website as well, he said.