Pakistan wins ‘Best In-Show, International Tourism Development’ award at Travel & Adventure Show 2024 in New York

NEW YORK, Jan 28 (SABAH):  Pakistan Pavilion has won the “Best In-Show – International Tourism Development” award at Travel and Adventure Show, 2024 being held in New York.

The high profile event is being held from January 27-28,2024 in New York City with a participation from over 550 of the top destinations, tour companies, cruise lines, and travel providers from around the world. Nearly 190 countries are participating in the show.

Inaugurated by Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Pakistan Pavilion has been set up in collaboration with Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Pakistan’s Consulate General in New York and private sector companies. Minister of Tourism Gilgit-Baltistan Ghulam Muhammad, former Minister for Tourism Gilgit Baltistan Raja Nasir Ali Khan, and Consul General of Pakistan in New York Aamer Ahmed Atozai were present during the inauguration of Pakistan Pavilion.

A 60 members’ delegation having representatives of PTDC, TDAP, and 24 private sector companies are representing Pakistan at the Travel and Adventure Show. The Travel and Adventure Show will feature live performances by Pakistani artisans specializing in lacquer woodwork and traditional doll making. It is showcasing nation’s diverse tourism potential.“Travel and Adventure Show is a fantastic show and many countries and tour operators are present here,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

“It is a matter of pride for us that Pakistan Pavilion has been awarded the Best in Show in International Travel and Adventure Show,”. “The world is taking keen interest in the tourism market of Pakistan, especially in adventure and eco-tourism,” Masood Khan said. “Pakistan has the most beautiful and undiscovered touristic sites with huge untapped tourism potential,” he continued.

For over 19 years and over 118 completed events, the Travel & Adventure Show has connected over 2.5 million travel enthusiasts, over 15,000 unique Travel Advisors, and thousands of travel media with over 4,500 different exhibiting companies from around the world influencing over $6 billion in travel bookings.

Highlighting the huge potential for tourism in Pakistan, Ambassador Masood Khan invited participants to visit Pakistan and experience the timeless beauty of Pakistan’s ancient civilizations and natural wonders, from snow-capped peaks to pristine coastal areas.  “Pakistan’s cultural richness beckons our Pakistani community worldwide. Be a patron of your motherland’s beauty and invest in the thriving tourism sector. Together, let’s showcase Pakistan to the world,” Masood Khan said. 

In his message on this occasion, Wasi Shah, State Minister for Tourism and Chairman PTDC, congratulated the organizers for the arrangements and ensuring presence of all regions of Pakistan at the Pavilion. He hoped that efforts will greatly contribute to attracting more foreign visitors to Pakistan which will not only help tapping tourism potential of the country but will also contribute towards image building of Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion to the reporters, Pakistan’s Consul General Aamar Ahmed Atozai said that our participation in the event will be helpful in attracting potential tourists to Pakistan. In a recent development, Pakistan was recognized as a top tourist destination by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with a 115% surge in foreign tourist arrivals and projections of international receipts reaching USD 1.3 billion by the end of the year 2023.

While announcing the Best In-show award for Pakistan in international tourism development, the CEO and founder of the Travel and Adventure Show, John Golicz appreciated the incredible delegation of tour operators and professionals from Pakistan.

The Travel & Adventure Show held in New York annually, is an ideal platform for interaction with visitors to top international and domestic travel destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, and travel providers. Later, Pakistan’s Consul General New York, Aamer Ahmad Atozai, hosted dinner in honor of the visiting Pakistani delegation which was attended among others by Ambassador Masood Khan,  Minister of State for Tourism & Youth Affairs, GB Ghulam Muhammad,  Minister for Planning, GB Raja Nasir and other members of the delegation.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Masood Khan underscored the need for highlighting tourism potential of the country and said that efforts were afoot to provide all needed facilities and infrastructure to the incoming tourists. He also highlighted great interest of the US tourists visiting various places of the country annually.