ISLAMABAD, Jul 26 Pakistan current tourism policy though framed back in 1990, but still guiding the business of country?s tourism sector inspite of falling miserably short to meet modern-days? needs of this growing field, would soon be replaced with new one, which the officials believe would boost tourism industry.A committee headed by Federal Secretary Tourism comprising provincial tourism secretaries as well as tourism officials from AJK and Northern Areas has been formed to work out new tourism policy.
This committee was formed by Minister for Tourism Maulana Atta ur Rahman at the Inter-ministerial Meeting on Promotion of Tourism recently held.
Maulana Atta ur Rahman said the existing tourism policy was devised in 1990 and it was still in place with no changes at all.
?In 2007, this two-decade old policy was re-printed and circulated, however, nothing new was added,? the minister said and urged the provincial tourism ministers to co-ordinate with the Federal Tourism Ministry with regard to formulating new policy on tourism.
?In the new policy, we intend to make concerted and serious efforts with the provinces, private sector, travel agencies and all others who are affiliated with tourism to boost our tourism industry,? the minister said.
The provincial tourism ministers were requested to contribute their suggestions and feedback regarding new tourism policy.
It was decided that Inter-ministerial meeting be in the first of week of each month.
Hoping to cash in on growing numbers of tourists, Pakistan is about to announce a comprehensive plan to expand the tourism sector through generous incentives to private investors.
Pakistan has a varied geography stretching from the torrid Arabian Sea to the frozen Hindu Kush, the Himalayas and the Karakoram.
Tourism has become an important earner of hard currency for many Asian countries, and Pakistan hopes it will prove the same here.
In developing beach and mountain resorts as well as historic sites, Pakistan hopes to expand employment and improve human resources through training in the tourism industry.
