Saudia Arabia Keen to Invest in Pakistan’s Tourism Sector
Islamabad also approved a visa policy for 126 countries, including six Gulf countries
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has shown keen interest in investing in Pakistan’s hospitality sectors, a move that could significantly boost the country’s tourism industry.
The Managing Director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Authority (PTDA) Aftab Rana said in a media briefing that Riyadh businessmen showed keen interest in developing the coastal areas of Balochistan and establishing tourist cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
He disclosed that the Saudi government, under its Vision 2030 initiative, is investing in the global tourism sector, and Islamabad and Riyadh are collaborating on Halal tourism to attract Middle Eastern tourists to Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has hired an international firm to prepare Pakistan’s national tourism strategy to attract foreign investment and tourism.
Islamabad also approved a visa policy for 126 countries, including six Gulf countries, to promote tourism.
MD PTDC said that the PTDC’s efforts to attract international tourists include focusing on religious tourism, particularly from Sikh and Buddhist communities. He mentioned that Pakistan is working to cater to Sikh pilgrims, who have a deep interest in visiting religious sites in Punjab Province, and Buddhist tourists interested in the Gandhara region including Taxila, Mardan, and Swat.
The government is also encouraging the private sector to showcase the country’s diverse potential by arranging an Expo adding that he said that PTDC is also supporting the joint Expo of Pakistan Tourism Mart (PTM) as well as the Saudi Tourism Department, which is set to host the 4th International Tourism Expo in Karachi, from January 31 to February 2, 2025.
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