Islamabad (Ali Haider) – On November 6, 2024, the Sanober Institute hosted an International Conference on Pakistan’s tourism potential at Serena Hotel Islamabad. This event, organized in collaboration with Serena Hotels, gathered tourism experts, government officials, and international participants to explore and promote Pakistan’s diverse tourism offerings, focusing on four key areas: mountain, coastal, religious, and heritage tourism. The objective of the conference was to uncover Pakistan’s tourism potential, develop sustainable growth strategies, and elevate the country’s global image as a welcoming destination.
Chairman of the Sanober Institute, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary, opened the conference, emphasizing the role of tourism in economic development and job creation. Keynote speakers, including Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Dr. Haroon Sharif, along with Guest of Honor Khurram Dastagir, former Federal Minister of Pakistan, shared insights on how tourism could bolster Pakistan’s image internationally. Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of PTDC, highlighted the unique appeal of mountain tourism, calling for sustainable practices to preserve Pakistan’s natural and cultural heritage.
International tourism professionals from Sri Lanka, France, Italy, the UK, and Malaysia contributed valuable perspectives during four panel discussions. Topics included mountain tourism, coastal tourism along Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan’s archaeological and cultural heritage, and religious tourism, which attracts thousands of international visitors to sites of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Sufi significance.
Speakers urged strategic investments, public-private partnerships, and policy reforms to enhance infrastructure, safety, and eco-tourism. They underscored media’s crucial role in promoting Pakistan’s attractions globally. By celebrating local culture, festivals, cuisines, and crafts, Pakistan can capture its tourism potential, fostering economic growth and national pride.
A final event report, with recommendations from speakers and participants, will be published soon to guide future tourism strategies and unlock Pakistan’s unique potential for sustainable tourism.