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PTDC lacks funds to carry out plans

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: All claims to celebrate 2007 as the Visit Pakistan Year to attract foreign tourists and develop a soft image of the country seem falling flat as the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is short of funds to carry out the scheduled events.

PTDC officials told Daily Times on Thursday that Rs 100 million, which was budgeted for publicity and promotion during 2007, were consumed in October after the World Tourism Day.

They said the hot air balloon competition scheduled for October 15-20; journey through time (November 1-13) at Moenjodaro; a walk to discover the trail of Alexander through Pakistan (November 1 from Nawagai to Turbat); Jashne Azadi Northern Areas (November 2-11 at Gilgit); the international mountain tourism conference (November 9-11 at Islamabad); birthday of Guru Nanak (November 10-19); international paragliding competition (November 21-27 at Islamabad, Swat and Azad Kashmir); international festival of performing arts (November 24 at Lahore); world Buddhist congress and festival of Asian arts and crafts (December 1-20) and Christmas celebrations (December 24 from Peshawar to Karachi) are the events which seem unlikely to take place.

Tourism Ministry Secretary Dr Shahzad Qaiser told Daily Times that the foreign exchange receipts had an increase of 12.4 percent compared with the same period last year. This year the foreign exchange was $ 187.1 million while in 2006 it was $166.5 million, he added.

He said that the total earning during 2006 was $ 260 million. Qaiser hoped that the government would allocate more budget to the PTDC to carry out its remaining projects. “As compared to other countries the tourism figures in Pakistan are not impressive despite huge tourism potential. Low budgets and negative image are hindering Pakistan to get its market share of more than $ 735 billion from the international tourism market,” says a report of World Tourism Barometer 2006.

Qaisar said the ministry was trying to project a soft image of the country by participating in international events.

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