By NNN-APP
Beijing : The Federal Secretary Ministry of Tourism Shahid Rafi said here that China has in principle agreed to impart education and training for tourism and grant of scholarships to Pakistan.
Terming his meeting with Chairman, China National Tourism Administration Shao Qi Wei as “very successful�, Shahid Rafi said at the meeting he sought China’s help for education and training for the trainers of two training institutions being run under Ministry of Tourism, one at Karachi and the other in Swat, and grant of scholarships which in principle they agreed.
In an interview with APP, Secretary Tourism pointed out that basically the objective of visit of his and Pakistan delegation to China was to participate in the Beijing International Tourism EXPO 2007, but availing this opportunity he held talks with concerned Chinese officials as Pakistan wants to give various proposals a practical shape so that tourism between the two countries march towards progress and if there is any impediment, the same could be reviewed and addressed.
“We have very productive and successful visit here, a large number of people visited Pakistani stall where we have circulated the publicity material both in English and in Chinese languages in large quantity which we brought with us�, he said.
Shahid Rafi said that the cliental tourists studied these materials with great interest, met with the staff of PTDC as well as Pakistani tour operators, and sought details about various tourists destinations of their interest.
He said that he talked with Tour operators, Tourists operators and with concerned trade people in which they identified some problems and we have assured their resolution so that tourism trade between Pakistan and China is developed.
The Secretary Tourism pointed out that we are providing facility of Visa on arrival for Group Tourism through tour operators to over two dozen countries including China.
He said that to help guide Group Tourism, a separate department as the PTDC has been established.
He pointed out that if we succeed in getting one per cent Chinese tourism trade that we consider is in millions, it would be a great success.
Shahid Rafi said that Pakistan is blessed with unique landscape, the loftiest mountains, vast plains, deserts, coastlines, a rich cultural heritage, and ancient civilizations and these spots offer great attraction to the foreign tourists.