Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has issued a clarion call for sustainable tourism on World Tourism Day 2025, highlighting the urgent need to address environmental challenges that threaten the nation’s tourist attractions and cultural heritage.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” underscores the potential role of tourism in driving positive change in the face of climate change and socio-economic disparities. In his message, President Zardari emphasized the pivotal moment at which Pakistan finds itself, with its stunning landscapes and rich cultural history offering vast opportunities for eco-friendly tourism.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in both domestic and international tourism, with growing interest in adventure, religious, and cultural tours. Nevertheless, hurdles such as poor infrastructure, environmental harm, and inconsistent policy enforcement remain significant obstacles. President Zardari stressed that climate change poses a particular threat, with glacial melting, water shortages, and severe weather events endangering both ecosystems and historical sites.
To combat these challenges, the president advocated for the development of climate-resilient infrastructure and the promotion of low-impact tourism practices. He called for a national priority on environmental conservation to ensure that tourism can act as a catalyst for sustainable change. The rise of extremism and intolerance, rooted in the 1980s, also presents a significant threat to tourism, requiring urgent attention to foster inclusivity and peace.
President Zardari outlined the government’s commitment to aligning tourism strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The focus will be on encouraging green certifications for tourism businesses and supporting community-driven and eco-friendly tourism initiatives. He insisted that the private sector, civil society, local communities, and particularly the youth, must play active roles in this transformation.
The president’s message concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to collaborate in making Pakistan a global leader in sustainable tourism, where tourism not only boosts local economies and creates jobs but also fosters cross-cultural understanding and preserves the country’s natural and cultural treasures for future generations.