Pakistan has 'tourist potential'

Nilofar Bakhtiar, Pakistan's federal minister for tourism, has stated that Pakistan intends to improve its range of tourist facilities.

Speaking to the 19th Convocation of FG Post Graduate College for Women in Rawalpindi, Ms Bakhtiar said that developing Pakistan's ability to cater for tourists was a priority for her government, reports the Associated Press of Pakistan.

The minister also said that attracting more visitors to the country would improve its image overseas.

The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation states that the country already has lots to offer visitors, including diverse cultures, evidence of ancient civilisations and the valleys of the Himalaya and Hindukush, as well as activities such as yak safaris and white water rafting.

In related news, it has also emerged this week that Pakistan is to strengthen tourist links with Greece as an agreement to increase cooperation between the countries was reached in Athens on Monday.

• New tour route opened in Australia
• New Star Alliance lounge opened in Paris
• Wireless network opened at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
• Emirates launches A380 on Heathrow flights
• Edinburgh whisky bars unite to promote tourism
• Dominican Republic named top Caribbean golf spot
• Southampton Airport launches travel info system
• Melbourne Airport sees record month
• Eurostar workers threaten to strike
• Lufthansa launches Italian brand