RAWALPINDI, Sept 27: A viable plan of action is needed to tap the potential of tourism industry in the country, said the minister of state, Rais Munir Ahmad, while speaking at a function organised to celebrate the World Tourism Day here on Saturday.

The theme chosen for this year tourism is “a driving force for poverty alleviation, job creation and social harmony”.

The minister said Pakistan had a great potential for tourism. Highlighting the importance of the theme, he said tourism brought people of different cultures, languages and countries together to share their views and develop social harmony. This, he added, served as a medium for job creation, which helped in alleviating poverty.

Mr Ahmad said security of life and property of the tourists was the responsibility of the host country and underlined the need for pragmatic steps in this regard.

The state minister said the government had taken steps to reactivate Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). Citing an example, he said Pakistan had not been attending Arabian Travel Mart, an international event held in Dubai every year, for the last eleven years. This year, he added, Pakistan attended the event reviving the old links with tour operators in Dubai. He was of the view that people of the Gulf and South Asia were reluctant to go to the West and the United States after the 9/11 tragedy so Pakistan had a good chance to win over that market.

The minister stressed promotion of domestic tourism saying international tourism itself would get a boost if the local trips had a sound footing. He said another vehicle would be added to the bus service between Pakistan and India. Efforts are also underway to start rail and air links with India, he added.

Mr Ahmad said three amusement parks - one each in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi - were being established with the cooperation of Switzerland and Canada. Approval for this has been given by the prime minister, he added.

To promote domestic tourism, a special discount package for students and mediapersons would be announced, he said.