ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Saturday urged investors to tap the full potential of tourism inside Pakistan and was blessed with rich potential for almost all types of tourism.
SAARC, Economic Cooperation Organisation and Organisation of theIslamic Conference could serve as appropriate platforms to improve tourism growth by linking member countries through cultural, religious, social, regional, socio- economic and educational ties Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Mahfooz Elahi has said, while presiding over a meeting here.
He was of the view that local and foreign investors could be attracted by organizing special events, trade fairs and cultural events. "There is a dire need to repel the existing image of Pakistan as a violent state and efforts should be made at all levels to present Pakistan as a country of peace," the ICCI President stressed.
Citing the examples of Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Turkey, he claimed that these nations became prosperous through tourism, adding the same approach was needed in Pakistan for rapid growth of tourism. He underlined that the government should actively promote the tourism industry to boost its foreign exchange earnings and finance the import of capital goods necessary for the growth of manufacturing sectors in the economy.