ISLAMABAD, July 12: The local tourism industry attracted up to 648,000 foreign tourists in 2004, contributing $185.6 million to the exchequer, it was officially learnt here on Tuesday. Compared with year 2004, 498,000 foreign tourists arrived in 2003 generating an income of $135.6 million. Tourism industry is on the rise and a greater number of foreigners are expected during the current year with the hope of earning over $200 million, as the country enjoys a better law and order situation coupled with an economic turn-around.

In this connection, the tourism ministry has reduced royalty fee by 50 per cent for climbing mountains above 6,500 metres during the year 2005.

Practical steps are underway to further boost tourism by facilitating tourists, simplifying visa procedure, preserving the sacred places of non-Muslims and excavating new sites.

Of particular note is the media campaign being launched by the ministry involving both electronic as well as print media to project a positive image of the country abroad.

The National Tourism Policy is to be announced soon, as 70 per cent of its draft has been prepared. Once it comes into force, the policy will help tourism generate billions of dollars.

Federal Minister for Tourism Dr G.G. Jamal in a statement said the current figures showed that foreign and domestic tourism industry had registered an upward trend with a number of people visiting the country.

Considering the importance of media and publicity, he said the government had planned to involve mass media in promoting tourism and projecting the country’s rich cultural heritage.—APP