Pakistan showcased its vibrant tourism potential at the prestigious three-day China Outbound Travel & Tourism Mart (COTTM) exhibition in Beijing, where eight prominent tour operator companies, including the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), participated. Recognized as the industry’s foremost platform for business-to-business interactions, COTTM focuses exclusively on the burgeoning outbound market.
The Pakistan Pavilion at the exhibition was inaugurated by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, who emphasized the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. State Minister for Tourism and SAPM on Youth Affairs, Wasi Shah, highlighted the event’s significance in fortifying tourism exchange and fostering B2B linkages between the two countries. Shah expressed the profound strength of the relationship between Pakistan and China, extending a warm welcome for Chinese friends to invest in Pakistan.
Aftab Rana, Managing Director of PTDC, underlined the crucial role of China as a key market for attracting inbound tourists. He noted that the participation of PTDC officials and a delegation of eight tour operator companies in the COTTM exhibition would greatly contribute to building B2B linkages between the tour operators of both countries, leading to a substantial increase in tourist traffic. Rana also highlighted the joint declaration by the governments of Pakistan and China, designating 2023 as the Pak-China Year of Tourism Exchange, signifying a positive step towards enhanced collaboration in the tourism sector.
In addition to showcasing the rich tapestry of Pakistan’s tourism offerings, PTDC has been actively working with the Pakistani Embassy in China and the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad to establish meaningful business-to-business linkages in the tourism sector. Recent collaborative efforts have included online meetings and webinars, culminating in the noteworthy decision by China to open inbound group tourism to Pakistan from China.
