USA
The Pakistan Pavilion has clinched the prestigious “Best In-Show – International Tourism Development” award at the Travel and Adventure Show 2024, currently underway in New York.
The high-profile two-day event, running from January 27 to 28, has attracted over 550 top destinations, tour companies, cruise lines, and travel providers from around the globe, with nearly 190 countries participating. Inaugurated by Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, the Pakistan Pavilion is a collaborative effort between the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Pakistan’s Consulate General in New York, and private sector companies.
During the pavilion’s inauguration, Minister of Tourism Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Ghulam Muhammad, former GB minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan, and Consul General of Pakistan in New York Aamer Ahmed Atozai were present, along with a 60-member delegation representing PTDC, TDAP, and 24 private sector companies.
The Pakistan Pavilion at the Travel and Adventure Show showcases the nation’s diverse tourism potential, featuring live performances by Pakistani artisans specializing in lacquer woodwork and traditional doll making.
Expressing pride in Pakistan’s recognition at the event, Ambassador Masood Khan stated, “It is a matter of pride for us that Pakistan Pavilion has been awarded the Best in Show in International Travel and Adventure Show,” highlighting the growing interest in Pakistan’s tourism market, particularly in adventure and eco-tourism.
“Pakistan has the most beautiful and undiscovered touristic sites with huge untapped tourism potential,” Khan continued, inviting participants to experience the timeless beauty of Pakistan’s ancient civilizations and natural wonders.
In a message, Wasi Shah, State Minister for Tourism and Chairman PTDC, congratulated the organizers for their efforts in ensuring the presence of all regions of Pakistan at the Pavilion.
The recognition at the Travel and Adventure Show adds to Pakistan’s recent achievements in the tourism sector, with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) acknowledging Pakistan as a top tourist destination. With a 115% surge in foreign tourist arrivals and projections of international receipts reaching $1.3 billion by the end of 2023, Pakistan’s tourism industry is poised for significant growth.
