28 September 2004	Tuesday	12 Shaban 1425

ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: World Tourism Day was observed here, like elsewhere in the world, on Tuesday with a number of events and a renewed commitment to boost country's image abroad as a safe destination for tourists.

The events were aimed at creating awareness of the importance of tourism and highlighting the potentials Pakistan possessed in this respect. In world wide ranking of tourism industry, Pakistan captures a unique position with its lofty mountains, serene valleys, rivers, glaciers, vast deserts and coastal areas. It has everything to offer to those who love nature.

The ministry of tourism finalized a 12-point agenda which included tourism promotional campaigns, national and international tourism conferences, talk shows and interaction with local as well as foreign media.

It would soon establish mobile tourist information units, develop winter tourism through opening up of coastal area resorts at Gadani, Agore and Gwadar for desert safari on four-wheelers. An amount of Rs95 million would be spent on preservation of cultural sites, monuments and important historical places.