NOT TO BE
PUBLISHED / TELECAST OR BROADCAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER
27, 2017
It is a
matter of great pleasure to know that people around the world are celebrating
World Tourism Day on 27th September, 2017. The Day serves to
remind us that we live on a beautiful planet which needs to be protected,
preserved and looked after in order to fully enjoy the bounties it offers.
Promotion of tourist activities help
strengthen national economies and put the countries on the road to progress and
development. Tourism also helps in promotion of soft image of a country at
international level and brings the people of different parts of the world
closer to each other by fostering a better understanding for the foreign
cultures and way of life.
The theme selected for this year’s
World Tourism Day “Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development” is very
appropriate and timely as in the present age it has become very important to
incorporate the principles of sustainability in all development work at
national, provincial or local levels.
Our federal and provincial
governments are taking effective measures for the development of tourist sites
and promotion of tourism. These efforts will help in gearing up our tourism
industry to become a major sector of national economy in the near future. By
focusing on the international best practices of sustainable tourism, we can
ensure long lasting socio-economic development which can in turn bring a
positive change for the people of Pakistan.
A great threat to the promotion of
tourism is the phenomenon of climatic change. Realizing the adverse
environmental impacts, the developed nations have taken lead by creating
awareness and encouraging energy conservation practices besides switching over
to renewable energy. The day, therefore, is an appropriate occasion to call
upon the developed nations, governments and the tourists to assist the
developing countries in promoting clean energy, energy conservation practices
and reducing carbon emissions.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day
2017, I extend my felicitation to the United Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO), Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and all stakeholders from
public and private sector for their dedication and extraordinary efforts for
the promotion of tourism at global, regional, national, provincial and local
levels.
NOT TO BE
PUBLISHED / TELECAST OR BROADCAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER
27, 2017
