PESHAWAR, Mar 10 (APP): NWFP Minister for Sports, Tourism, Culture, Archaeology and Youth Affairs Mr. Aqil Shah said that the Pakistan delegation has been keenly welcomed in the ITB Berlin-2010, the world famous International Tourism Exhibition started at Berlin, Germany. Talking to APP on phone, Syed Aqil Shah said that the International Tourism Exhibition will continue till March 14, 2010 with members? countries of the World Tourism Organization taking part by holding colorful stalls to attract international tourists.
He said the aim and objective of ITB Berlin-2010 Exhibition is to attract tourists towards mountaineering, trekking, adventures, culture, archeology, history, Green Tourism etc. Syed Aqil Shah said that Sarhad Tourism Corporation apart from promoting NWFP Tourism in Pakistan by organizing Cultural Festival, exhibitions, Shandur Polo Festival, Seminars etc also took bold step of participating in ITB Berlin in collaboration with PTDC, Ministry of Tourism, Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Corporation, Sindh Tourism Corporation and private sector tour operators including Hunza Travel Services, Pearl Tours and Travels, Omar Travels, Siyah Destination Management, Direction Travels, Pakistan Adventure Travels, Mountain Experts and Panoramic Pakistan in order to promote soft image and attract international tourists to Pakistan.
He said eleven thousands one hundred twenty seven exhibition companies from 187 countries are hosting their stalls and a pavilion and among them the Pakistan Pavilion with beautiful pictorial displays of all the provinces.
He said, Pakistan is specially significant for people who love history, though it has its share of picturesque locations as well like the Indus Valley Civilization which can be dated back as long as 3000 BC. The two highly significant historical spots, the Harappa and the Mohenjodaro are ?a must-see? sites for any history buff, he added.
The Marakan Coastline where in 325 BC saw the great warrior Alexander the Great march during the Greek war. It also saw another great leader, General Muhammad Bin Qasim led his army on the Sindh expedition, he said.
The Silk Road winds through the Himalayan range, crosses the Indus River and passes through the Hunza and Gilgit valleys, K-2 of the Himalayan range of mountains which is the second largest peak in the world, Water sports, for those who love water sports as the country has plenty to offer, he remarked.
One can also visit the rivers Indus, Hunza, Pankora, Swat including Kalam, Malaam Jaba and Kunhar for as much fun and challenging, Rawal Lake, prominent valleys like Naran, Khagan Valleys. Lake Saif-ul-Maluk is one of its main attractions.
About the Pakistan stalls, he said, it attracted many visitors on the very first day among them free distribution of colorful brochures, post cards, events calendars, souvenirs of NWFP during the ITB Tourism Exhibition.
Syed Aqil Shah along with Muhammad Azam Khan, Managing Director Sarhad Tourism Corporation is heading the NWFP delegation, he concluded.
