on 26th April 2024 Pakistan Embassy Kathmandu hosted a conference cum interactive session under the title “Pakistan: Geo-Historical Invitation to Tourism.” Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal H.E Abrar H Hashmi chaired it. The conference was focused at developing joint marketing and developing circuits for cultural and high-altitude tourism in Pakistan and Nepal. The participants included leading tourism experts and operators from Nepal who were joined virtually by experts in Buddhist outreach and mountaineering & trekking tourism of Pakistan. They included Mr Laxam Gautam, Head of Marketing and Promotion Department, Nepal Tourism Board, Mr Rajan Shakya, President Young Men Buddhist Association Nepal, Ms Yubika Raj Bhandari, Secretary Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) and Mr Achyut Guragain Former President NATTA along with heads of other reputable Tour and Travel Companies in Nepal, Dr Nadeem Omar Tarar, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Anthropology, University of Texas, Austin, USA / Executive Director Center for Culture & Development (C2D), Ms Sadia Noman, Manager Publicity & Promotions Pakistan Tourism Board Corporation (PTDC), Mr Sadruddin Hunzai, Secretary General Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) along with his Head of Adventure and Mountaineering Committee and MDs of other Tour and Travel Companies of Pakistan joined virtually.
Ambassador Abrar H Hashmi in his remarks highlighted the potential of Tourism in Pakistan. He apprised the participants that today’s conference is part of a series of efforts this Embassy is putting in to build convergences between Pakistan and Nepal. Primary objective of the conference is to connect the relevant ‘doers’; carve out programmes circuits and prepare brochures for tourists of both countries and identify any issues to be addressed.
Dr Nadeem Omar Tarar gave an informative presentation on Gandhara (Buddhist) Heritage of Pakistan and its potential for tourism. He provided practical suggestions to attract religious tourism in Pakistan. His work included ritual and living traditions of Buddhism and have best to explore treasure trove. He and Mr. Hunzai assured visitors and tour operators of conducive environment and cooperation.
During the interactive session the participants from both the countries, discussed bilateral tourism development and suggested ways to enhance the volume of tourism between Pakistan and Nepal.
Kathmandu
April 27, 2024
