Pakistan in process of launching tourism channel
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) was in the process of launching a tourism channel, which would cover only tourism matters, said PTDC Managing Director Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Khan.
Speaking at a meeting with German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel, he called bilateral relations between Pakistan and Germany ideal, believing that cooperation in the field of tourism would further enhance these ties.
Pakistan regularly participates in the International Tourism Fair and this year ITB Berlin is being held in the first or second week of March.
“PTDC has been participating in this fair for the last three decades; we have great potential [of attracting tourists because of] our heritage, mountains, valleys, deserts, rivers and beaches,” he emphasised.
“We have a vast variety of delicious cuisines, which can be introduced and promoted internationally in the near future.”
The German ambassador committed to playing a cooperative role in promoting tourism in Pakistan, Ghafoor said.
He assured the envoy of taking measures to promote tourism and present a soft image of Pakistan to the international community.
“In this regard, new destinations are being explored and investors are being invited to invest in setting up pre-fabricated resorts and other facilities,” Ghafoor said.
He revealed that the diplomatic community based in Pakistan and their counterparts around the globe were being contacted to promote tourism.
He urged the German government to review its travel advisory for German tourists desiring to visit Pakistan and suggested that meetings on tourism should continue between the two countries.
Lepel said tourists from Germany were visiting Pakistan for mountaineering and trekking as they were very fond of adventure and nature.
She said German Ministry of Tourism and German Tourism Organisation were already offering reforms in technical and vocational education and training in Pakistan.
She suggested that PTDC might promote domestic tourism in the current circumstances and educate local tourists that they must take care of the environment.
She appreciated efforts of the government of Pakistan for promoting tourism in the country.
I think the number 1 market of tourists for Pakistan is China and I think this channel should have some China suited aspects as China is the ideal place to attract tourism from rather than just the West. Chinese already have a good image of Pakistan because of it's friendly relations with China and they have a huge population of people who have disposable incomes.
I hope this channel isn't like PTV world. Pakistan has an endless supply of camera proficient people and artists that can make this channel into a modern and hip brand rather than PTV Worlds boring and outdated content.