Tourism is one of the fastest growing avenues in the service sector across the world. As the global economy grows, putting more disposable money in pockets and purses, men and women move in hundreds of millions to explore other corners of the globe, each year.

All four provinces of Pakistan can boast of the continuity of civilization for thousands of years. The archeological excavations of Harappa in Punjab, Mohenjodaro in Sindh, Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Mehrgarh in Baluchistan are standing testimonies of the fact that all four major ethnic groupings of Pakistan had a civilized living in proper built up cities, and were familiar with civic amenities like regular water supply and sewerage etc since as far back as 3000 B.C. These eye-opening archeological sites are a boon for both local and international tourists.

Pakistan is also rich in natural landscape and scenic beauties. It is home to 12 of the 20 tallest peaks in the world in mighty Himalayas, Karakoram, Hindukash and Tirchmir mountain ranges, offering invitation to adventurers from the world over to conquer them.

Pakistan is host to historic architectural marvels including over 300 forts and castles, many gigantic mosques and plethora of ancient royal gardens bequeathed from the glorious imperial dynasties like the Moguls, Suris, Ghazanvid, Ghaurid, and Lodhis who ruled, what is now Pakistan and India, over the past millennium or so.

Pakistan is also home to many holy destination for many religions in the world. The Sikh religion has its holiest sites in Nankana Sahib and Hasanabdal while Buddhists rever Taxila as well as Swat – the birth place of their second Buddha. The Zikri sect witthin Islam and the St. Thomas Church among Christians have their holiest places in Turbat (Balochistan) and Taxila (Punjab), respectively. Katas area in Chakwal district has ancient Hindu relics while Chanabnagar is the religious centre of Qadiani sect followers.

The TDCP, under the present dynamic management, is trying hard to place Pakistan and especially Punjab at the centre stage of world tourist maps. We are also working for promotion of indigenous tourism by inviting people from other provinces of Pakistan to visit Punjab and people of Punjab to visit interesting sites outside their districts. Local and School tourism is another focus area for intra-city tourism.               

In this context, I want to bring three recent TDCP initiatives into the public notice:-

We are in the process of identifying 1000 new tourist attraction sites all over Punjab in all the 36 districts. Each district shall pinpoint at least 20 places of interest in five categories, viz.historical buildings, natural sceneries, religious places, public parks or cultural sites and the TDCP will enrich the information base for the tourists.

Secondly, we are planning to organize “Punjab Tourism Week” twice every year, in which we are soliciting discounts from airlines, railways and bus transport companies as well as from hotels, motels and restaurants all across Punjab for the people to visit around at affordable costs.

And finally, we are strengthening the scope of our five Institutes of Tourism & Hotel Management (ITHMs) to increase both the number and duration of courses. We are negotiating international accreditation for our courses. We are trying to raise the prestige and pride of the professions of hoteling and hospitality management, chefs and food connoisseurs, airhostesses, waiters, transporters and drivers, and so on. I invite young Pakistanis to consider careers in all those fields.  

Under the 18^th amendment to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Tourism has become a devolved subject from the Federal to the provincial level. That has added the role and responsibilities of Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP). The TDCP has geared up to meet the new challenges.