September 08, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 14, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: Federal Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar said that the government was taking every possible measure to promote tourism in the country. Talking to a select gathering, comprising diplomats, tour operators and media men invited at a reception late Wednesday, she said that her ministry has already started working on recently approved marketing strategy and organized various events to attract, both local and international tourists in the country.

She said that the marketing strategy aimed at exploiting the country’s tourism potential for promoting its products in national and international markets in an efficient manner.

Minister Bakhtiar, who has a degree in tourism from an Austrian university, said that Pakistan was the most unseen country in the world, which by all means has the potential to become tourist destination in this part of the world.

The country, she said, has lot more to offer including historical and heritage sites, world class climbing and hiking areas, sacred religious sites of the Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists.

She said that visa policy has already been relaxed and tourists from around the world including India could easily come to the country. The minister said there was a need to tap the potential, as it would lead to creating economic activities, jobs and earning foreign exchange. Tourism, she said, also helped improve the image of the country.

The government has also declared 2007 as ‘Visit Pakistan year’ and planned scores of activities throughout the year.