New Pakistan Tourism Portal

[Riaz Haq]

Here's a report about a new tourism portal for Pakistan:

Pakistan-explorer.com: A ray of hope in the clogged-up tourism culture in the country

Launched with a distinct vision of promoting the tourism culture in the country, www.pakistan-explorer.com is no less than a breath of fresh air, striving to do justice with the huge bounty of natural wonders and resources the country possess.

Tourism in Pakistan with all its natural wonders and all the grand peaks that the country holds in her lap, is still grossly underrated and unexplored even by the local masses within the country let alone the foreign community.

www.pakistan-explorer.com was launched in the beginning of the current year, by a team of young entrepreneurs who are struggling to bring these breathtaking sights and sounds to the limelight in order to draw awareness towards the huge treasure trove of
natural beauty the country has been sitting over in all this time.

www.pakistan-explorer.com is determined to help the third generation of Pakistan to break through this blinding oblivion which has kept them from exploring their own neighbourhood since long.

What has been one of the interesting aspects of the portal is the vision and the mission statement of the team. They not only defy the nationalistic approach towards the natural assets but consider them as the common property of all humans regardless of
their nationalities and access to the same.

The team insists that the portal is one of its kinds and while they are hoping to revive the dilapidated tourism industry in the country, they will continue their attempts to bridge gaps between the neighbours in the volatile region.

The country is known to be the home of 40 out of the 50 tallest peaks in the world. It is the home of the longest glaciers on earth after the polar cap. The legendary Karakorum Range is notoriously famous for the dreaded peaks which are considered one of
the most difficult and deadliest to climb on.

Five of the 14 eight thousand meter high peaks, better known as the eight thousanders, are in Pakistan, including Nanga Parbat and K-2, both having the highest causality rates in climbing circles. The duo is often termed as the “Killer Mountains”. Skardu,
capital of Gilgit-Baltistan, is another serene place in the country and is apparently more of a valley between these giant mountains.

www.pakistan-explorer.com brings latest updates on the expeditions underway in the deadly Karakorum and the Himalayas. The website also provides excellent features on the success and attempts of teams and their past record in sport of High Altitude Mountaineering.
The portal covers the scenic and archeological assets of the country, giving valuable insights about their present condition and past history.

http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/03/12/Pakistan-explorer-com-A-ray-o...

http://www.pakistan-explorer.com/

[Riaz Haq]

A million foreign tourists in Pakistan this year, reports Business Recorder:

Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Mir Shahjahan Khetran on Friday said that one million foreigner tourists visited Pakistan in current year. He said that law and order situation in Pakistan is much better which is attracting international tourists.

He stated this while addressing the Tourism Walk participants at Margalla Trail-5. PTDC organised the walk to create awareness among youth about importance of natural environment and tourism. Shahjahan Khetran said that PTDC is going to construct more trails in capital in co-operation with Capital Development Authority (CDA).

He said PTDC in collaboration with non governmental organisations initiated a number of tourism projects in different areas including Khunjerab, Chitral, Chouperson Valley, Dir Kohistan, Hussaini, Gilgit and Shimshal Valley. He said that PTDC in collaboration with Alpine Club, Adventure Foundation and Sustainable Tourism Foundation organises different programmes for students in Kashmir, Kaghan Valley and Gilgit Balitistan to create awareness about preservation of environment. Students are trained about cleaning of mountain, safety of flora and fauna in these areas, he said.

He appealed the Prime Minister to retain PTDC under federation in order to develop and promote tourism in the country and abroad. Around 150 students from various schools, colleges and families from twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi participated in the event. Certificates and shields were also distributed among participants of walk.

http://www.brecorder.com/business-a-economy/189/1249552/