ISLAMABAD — Pakistan President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, in their separate messages, on the occasion of the UN commemorated World Tourism Day, said that it was a matter of great pleasure that Pakistan was joining hands with the rest of the world to celebrate the day with zeal and enthusiasm.

Shedding light on the theme of this year: “Tourism and Rural Development,” the Pakistan leadership underlined that the tourism sector provides vital impetus to economic development in rural areas and helps in the empowerment of rural communities by generating employment and boosting trade.

For a country like Pakistan, where most of the population is still living in rural areas, tourism can significantly contribute to socio-economic development. They said that tourism helps communities to protect their heritage and allows other people to experience incredible cultures and traditions.

Pakistani leaders said that Pakistan has diverse landscapes from the mountains to the sea and dynamic history. They said that Pakistan has limitless potential for tourism, which the world has yet to discover. The various initiatives taken by the Government for the promotion of tourism are emphasizing the development of rural areas of Pakistan.

The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has been revamped to allow the tourists to have firsthand experience of the natural sights, ancient civilizations, and diversity of Pakistan’s landscapes — the mountains, deserts, rivers, forests, and coastal lines.

Pakistani leadership said that it was a matter of pride for Pakistan to welcome tourists worldwide. The collective government measures for the development and promotion of tourism in Pakistan would significantly contribute to transforming this sector into a vital revenue-generating source of our national economy in the near future. — Agencies