ISLAMABAD:The Ministry of Tourism has been directed to develop alternative tourist destinations in the country so that the flow of visitors towards the same places every year could be reduced.

In his meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Tourism Coordination Azam Jamil, the prime minister emphasised on the need to enhance the tourism industry by developing housing and infrastructure.

The PM alsodirected him to begin work on rehabilitation of Governor House Nathia Gali so it could be turned into a high-end tourist destination especially for state guests. The private sector must be involved in this process, he added.

The newly-appointed Mr Jamil has plans to promote Pakistan’s historically fascinating infrastructure and focus more on the youth as, according to him, with them lies the future of the tourism industry.

Mr Jamil, who has spent four decades in Pakistan’s tourism and hospitality journey said that projects needed to be socially, culturally, politically and environmentally sustainable and local communities should be involved in them whenever possible.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2022