Ashraf AboArafe
Mr. Huzaifa Rehman, Minister of State for Culture Pakistan, gave a speech the 4th D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Tourism Cooperation today as follows:
*Cairo, Egypt — 6th May 2025*
Mr. Chairman, Minister for Tourism of Egypt, H.E. Sharif Fathy,
Secretary General,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
**Assalaam Alaikum and a very good morning to all of you.**
It is both an honor and a privilege to represent Pakistan at the 4th D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Tourism. I am delighted to join this esteemed gathering to explore ways of strengthening tourism cooperation among our valued D-8 Member States.
At the outset, allow me to express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Egypt and the D-8 Secretariat for their gracious hospitality and for hosting this important meeting in the historic and vibrant city of Cairo. Egypt, as one of the world’s premier tourism destinations, is a most fitting host. Our Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister were deeply impressed by the warmth and generosity extended during the recent 11th D-8 Summit in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital.
**Ladies and Gentlemen,**
Our D-8 nations are richly endowed with diverse natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical landmarks. This makes us uniquely positioned to unlock tremendous tourism potential through collaborative efforts. By formulating integrated strategies, we can transform tourism into a powerful engine for socio-economic growth, foster people-to-people connections, and position our countries as leading global tourism hubs.
I am confident that today’s deliberations will contribute meaningfully to advancing tourism as a vehicle for sustainable development and regional cooperation.
**Pakistan’s Vision for Tourism Development**
Pakistan remains fully committed to the D-8 vision for economic cooperation, including our shared goals for tourism advancement. As the proud host of the 3rd D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Tourism in scenic Bhurban, near Islamabad, we firmly believe in building upon our previous commitments to drive meaningful progress.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan is implementing a comprehensive tourism development strategy focused on:
* Infrastructure expansion
* Digital tourism platforms
* Hospitality training and certification
* Quality assurance mechanisms
* Cultural heritage preservation
Our flagship initiative, **”Salam Pakistan”**, serves as a rebranding of our tourism identity. It integrates various regional offerings and targets sectors such as adventure tourism, cultural and religious tourism, ecotourism, medical tourism, and leisure travel—tailored to the unique assets of each region.
We warmly invite D-8 member states to encourage their hospitality industries to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. The potential returns in Pakistan’s emerging tourism sector are substantial, and we welcome collaboration in the development of resorts, hotels, and related infrastructure.
**Facilitating Tourism Among D-8 Nations**
To promote intra-D-8 tourism, we must adopt **tourist-friendly visa policies**. Pakistan already offers **free e-visas** to citizens of over 125 countries—including all D-8 members. We urge fellow member states to adopt similar policies that ease mobility and encourage regional tourism.
Additionally, **affordable and efficient connectivity** is critical. We propose:
* Increasing direct flights between major D-8 cities
* Enhancing immigration services at international entry points
* Facilitating travel with minimal barriers
We also recommend creating mechanisms for:
* Exchange of tourism professionals
* Joint marketing campaigns
* Travel exhibitions and roadshows
* Verified tour operator networks among D-8 countries
These measures will enable the creation of **joint tourism products** and better awareness of our collective offerings.
**Conclusion**
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Let us reaffirm our commitment to transforming tourism into a tool for inclusive economic growth and cultural solidarity. Through mutual support and dynamic engagement under the D-8 platform, we can realize our full tourism potential and bring lasting benefit to our peoples.
I look forward to the positive outcomes of this meeting and to continued cooperation among our nations.
**Thank you.**
**Pakistan Zindabad.**
