Lahore selected as ECO Tourism Capital for 2027

Lahore selected as ECO Tourism Capital for 2027 marking a key international recognition for the city.

Lahore has achieved a major milestone by being officially selected as the Tourism Capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) for the year 2027, marking a significant recognition for both Pakistan and the Punjab province.

The ECO, a regional intergovernmental body made up of ten countries including Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and several Central Asian nations, awards this title yearly to a city with notable cultural, historical, and tourism value—qualities that Lahore exemplifies.

A 25-member delegation from ECO will arrive in Lahore on April 13 to formally announce the nomination. During their stay, they will engage in official and cultural events, including a key meeting of the Council of Permanent Representatives chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif at the Civil Secretariat.

Lahore now joins a distinguished list of previous recipients, such as Shahrisabz in Uzbekistan and Erzurum in Türkiye, which held the title for previous years.

Started in 2019, ECO’s initiative aims to globally showcase the shared cultural, historical, and tourism assets of its member states. The visiting delegates will also explore key attractions such as Mela Chiraghan, the historic Walled City, and the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.

A special lunch will be held in the delegation’s honor at the Governor House, adding to the ceremonial significance of the visit.

Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb hailed the recognition as a vital step toward boosting the image of Punjab’s history and heritage, adding that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is keen to present Lahore’s rich legacy to the global audience.

Aurangzeb further noted that Lahore’s nomination as ECO’s Tourism Capital is expected to play a crucial role in attracting international tourists to both Punjab and the wider region of Pakistan.