Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Hosts Lunch In Honor Of 30-member Delegation From Central Asian Republics

The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Friday hosted a lunch in honour of a 30-member delegation of Central Asian Republics (CARs).

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Mar, 2018 ) :The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Friday hosted a lunch in honour of a 30-member delegation of Central Asian Republics (CARs).

The delegation comprising members from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is on a six-day visit on the invitation of Government of Pakistan, which started from March 19.

PTDC Managing Director (MD) Chaudhary Abdul Ghafoor Khan welcomed the delegates on their arrival here at Flashman's Hotel, which was decorated with colorful banners, flags, and buntings. A cultural show comprising dance performances and folk music was also organized.

Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhary Abdul Ghafoor said the visit would further strengthen the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Central Asian states. Pakistan was blessed with countless tourism opportunities available for all kinds of tourists.

Pakistanis considered Central Asian republics as brotherly nations, he added. He said there might be a few negative stories about Pakistan but, the situation absolutely contrary and Pakistan was completely safe and secure tourism destination for the international tourists.

He said Pakistan had opened its doors for the international tourists to come and enjoy the hospitality, see and believe that the country was safe and it had the most of nature blessed treasures spread all over Pakistan from Khunjerab to Karachi.

Pakistan, he added, had beautiful deserts, beaches, mountains, valleys, diverse culture and rich history.

He said visa on arrival facility would be introduced for group tourists for more countries and investment opportunities/projects for joint venture in tourism & hospitality sector of Pakistan would be shared among potential investors of the CARs.

To foster the process and cooperation among national tourism agencies, as well as private sector companies and provincial tourism organizations be encouraged, he said and recommended that fully sponsored scholarship opportunities should be offered to youth in undergraduate/graduate degrees in tourism and hospitality.

He said Central Asian countries could help Pakistan to promote tourism and remove negative propaganda against it. Development of road link and operation of direct flights by national airlines between Pakistan and Central Asian Republics was also essential for increasing tourist flow, he added.

Uzbek delegation was headed by Former Vice Prime Minister and Chairman of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ikramov Adham Ilhamovich, Kyrgyz delegation lead by Deputy Director, National Institute of Strategic Studies Baidoletov Nuradil Esenbekovich while Georgiy Dubovtsev was the Head of Kazakhstan delegation who is Deputy Minister for Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, Tajikistan delegation was lead by Dr.

Khudaberdi Kholiqnazar, State Minister Level for Center for Strategic Studies whereas Merdan Bayramdurdyyev, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy was the head of the delegation of Turkmenistan.