ISLAMABAD: To celebrate International Mountain Day 2022, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in collaboration with Alpine Club of Pakistan and other partner organizations organized a one-day conference on SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN TOURISM at Legends Hotel-Islamabad, on 10 December, 2021. This conference is a part of International Mountain Day celebration on the theme of “Women Move Mountains”. Women play a key role in protection of environment and natural resources mountainous areas and social and economic development.
In the conference, four sessions were held on the themes of “Women Move Mountains”, “Sustainable Mountain Tourism in Pakistan”, “Adventure Tourism in the Mountain Areas of Pakistan and “Challenges and Prospects of Mountaineering in Pakistan” in which guests speakers shared their expert opinions on the important role play by the women as the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture and experts in traditional medicine and significance of mountains for the wild life and life of humans as well.
The conference was graced by the Chief Guest Raja Nasir Ali, Minister of Tourism of Gilgit Baltistan. .
Speaking in the event, Aftab ur Rehman Rana Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) said that “Pakistan’s mountain tourism has much to offer to the world with its hidden treasures of natural beauty, diverse landscapes, rich archaeological heritage, most hospitable people and above all, its tourist friendly environment.”
He further stated that, “development of tourism in mountain areas of Pakistan is the top priority of our government. We are committed to improve tourism infrastructure and making all the efforts to promote tourism in mountain areas with the help of provincial governments and private sector. We want to make tourism an engine of economic growth and employment generation for the people of our mountains.”
In the panel discussion the speakers stressed on the importance of mountains for the human life and protection of the ecosystem.
In his remarks Raja Nasir Ali Minister Tourism of Gilgit Baltistan said that “Mountain tourism is a foundation of the local economy, offering jobs and business possibilities. Mountain women and girls, especially in rural areas, have the potential to be significant change agents as farmers, market vendors, businesswomen, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Women in rural areas can fight hunger, malnutrition, and rural poverty and contribute to the growth of mountain economies when they have access to resources, services, and opportunities.” He expresses his gratitude towards all the partner partner organizations of this event.
At the end of the conference, awards were also distributed among the mountaineers in order to recognize their efforts to enhance mountain tourism of Pakistan, winners of the competition and the sponsoring organizations.
PTDC and Alpine Club of Pakistan is organizing 2-day event on International Mountain Day with the support of Riphah International University, IUCN-Pakistan, Legend Hotels & Resorts, Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan, Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, and Pakistan Sports Board.
