Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Rana Aftab has said that the tourism business in Pakistan has a lot of potential as one of the most important job-creation industries in the country and economic source.

Talking to the media, he said the global statistics show that one out of every eleven people is directly or indirectly involved in the tourism industry. In terms of economic contributions, he added that the tourist sector directly provides around 1.5 trillion dollars. It exceeds 7.5 trillion dollars when indirect sources are included, indicating the significant contribution that nations earn as a result of international tourism, he added.

Rana Aftab stated that the tourist industry has a high economic importance in Pakistan since it is the only source of income for individuals in remote areas of the country where no other employment options exist.

Pakistan is endowed with abundant natural resources and its tourist potential must be tapped in order to further boost this vital sector. The domestic tourism business is already robust, and according to estimates, over six million tourists visit various spots each year, generating billions of rupees, he added.

Tourism is also a fantastic method of communication between people, improves the interaction between people from other places, and fosters interfaith harmony, he said. According to Rana Aftab, Pakistan offers a range of tourist locations, but one of the strongest and most distinct aspects of our tourism business is the friendliness of the local people, which is also recognised by foreign tourists.

He said PTDC is following a realistic strategy to enhance religious tourism, which will earn a tremendous amount of money while also developing tolerance among the people. Religious tourism, which encompasses Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Christianity-related tourism, is a key component of the country's tourism business with a lot of promise, he added. Aside from religious tourism, there are two more divisions in the sphere of tourism: adventure tourism and cultural tourism, he said.

According to him, adventure tourism in Pakistan is a distinct area of the country's tourist business, and it comprises river rafting, paragliding, tracking, mountain climbing, and other new winter sports. The country's cultural and archaeological attractions are extremely popular with both domestic and international tourists, he added.

According to Rana Aftab, Pakistan has a 9,000-year history that dates back to Mehr Garh and is a valuable archaeological and cultural treasure for future generations. By promoting these historic sites, cultural visitors might be drawn to Pakistan, helping the country generate substantial economic income, he added.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk