ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Tuesday reported that as many as 145,068 local and 8,206 foreign tourists had visited Swat, Gilgit-Baltistan and other hill stations across the country during last season.
According to a senior PTDC official, around 3,758 foreign tourists had visited Gilgit-Baltistan, 175 Swat valley and 4,273 other picnic spots. Talking to APP, the official informed that 122, consisting of 417 members, trekking parties and 19, consisting of 249 members, expedition parties had also visited Pakistan. To a question he said that PTDC has opened its summer resorts in snowfall areas ahead of the schedule this year to facilitate nature lovers.
In the first phase, hotels and motels in Skardu, Astak, Ayubia, Gupis, Miandam had already been opened, while Hunza, Kalam, Khaplu, Mastuj would be opened in April. Besham, Birmoglasht, Chitral, Gilgit, Gupis, Hunza, Kalam, Naran, Saidu Sharif had also been made operational. He said in the past, PTDC used to open hotels in Ayubia on April 1 but this time the resort had been made operational in the month of March.
To a question he said the PTDC’s initiative to introduce “Pakistan Tourism Friends Club” for the promotion of tourism had been received warmly adding at present around 3,000 people had enrolled themselves to enjoy announced facilities. He said objective of introducing the club was to promote tourism activities and to provide better tourist facilities at affordable rates to its members. He said that 20 percent discount would be given to the members on the facilities being provided at all hotels, motels, and tourist resorts operating across the country.
