Balochistan To Turn Into Tourism Hub: PTDC Official

News Desk

Islamabad: To facilitate tourism, the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) will establish a tourist information centre at the New Gwadar International Airport to provide them with comprehensive information about hotels, tourist sites and all other basic information, said PTDC Managing Director Aftab ur Rehman Rana.

During an interview with Xinhua, Aftab further said that in order to tap the potential of the airport, the Balochistan Coastal Development Authority has made a master plan and marked the areas along the coast on which tourist sites will be developed.

Rana added that Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province has the potential to become a hub of domestic and international tourism after the inauguration of the New Gwadar International Airport– a donation by the Chinese government under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Balochistan boasts a stunning coastal stretch and there are ongoing efforts to develop eco-tourism resorts, beach parks, floating jetties and relaxation spots along this coastline to cater to both domestic and international tourists, including those visiting Gwadar for business reasons, Managing Director (MD) added.

Talking about the security of the tourists, Aftab ur Rehman mentioned that in the initial stage, group tourism will be permitted, primarily driven by security considerations. Tourists will be required to share their travel plans with a dedicated tourism police force which will be established to enhance safety and support tourism activities. During this phase, tourists will receive security provisions as they travel in organised groups.

Subsequently, in the second phase, individual tourists will have the opportunity to explore the area independently when tourism becomes more common and a comprehensive security plan is established in the area.

PTDC Officer said that they are currently engaged in discussions with Chinese tour operators to attract China’s outbound tourists and business professionals to Pakistan.

In line with these efforts, a group of tour operators from China recently visited Pakistan and a delegation of Pakistani tour operators is scheduled to visit China to participate in the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market exhibition in November, he further added.

Pakistan has great business potential in the tourism sector and if Chinese investors invest in building hotels and resorts in Pakistan, it will not only attract Chinese tourists to Pakistan but also uplift the overall tourism industry in the country, remarked Aftab ur Rehman.