ISLAMABAD, Sept 14: The ministry of tourism will shortly launch a degree programme in hotel management in affiliation with the hotel industry of Switzerland.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports and Minorities Rais Munir Ahmad told this news agency that two institutes, one in Gullibagh, Swat, and the other in Pitham, Karachi, would be authorized to issue the degree from the Swiss hotel industry.

He said it would not only provide local students an opportunity to get foreign degree at meagre expenses but also enhance the potential of tourism-related education in the country.

Mr Ahmad said a new tourism policy would be formulated on international standards. Moreover, PTDC’s 33 hotels would be made computerized and tourists would be able to get booking of any site from anywhere in the country.

To facilitate international tourists, a universally accessed number (UAN) — 111-555-999 — has been installed at PTDC’s regional offices whose network will be expanded to other motels.

Besides, the website of tourism ministry will be re-engineered to provide an update information to tourists, he said.

The minister said special discount packages would be introduced for tourists which would offer them a 30 to 40 per cent discount during their stay in PTDC motels.

He said proposals had been sent to friendly countries for softening visa rules. Unless visa delivery process is not made convenient for tourists, satisfactory results would not be obtained, he added.

About Lahore-Delhi bus service, Mr Ahmad said positive response was being received from tourists of both the countries. To cope with the situation, the ministry has decided to run another bus in addition to the two.

He said the proposal for running similar kind of bus service between Pakistan and China was also under consideration and would be implemented after completion of required procedures.

About the stoppage of PIA flights to Saidu Sharif for the last two years, he said due to shortage of planes and technical reasons, the service could not be continued. However, after discussions with PIA officials other safari flights will be introduced shortly for some cities.—APP