FPCCI to jointly host ‘Sustainable Tourism Forum’ in Karachi

KARACHI: The Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Development (ICCD) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) are jointly organising the Sustainable Tourism Forum (STF) on January 30-31, 2025, in Karachi, in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC).

This was announced by Atif Ikram Sheikh, president of the FPCCI and vice president of the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CACCI).The FPCCI president said that the event aligns with resolutions adopted at the 48th and 11th sessions of the Islamic Council of Foreign Ministers held in Islamabad (March 2022) and Baku (June 2022), respectively.

Sheikh highlighted the increasing role of the private sector in the OIC bloc, pointing to its contribution to enhancing market access among 57 member states and driving business expansion across continents. The forum’s primary goal is to position Pakistan as a leading hub for sustainable tourism within OIC countries.

The forum aims to raise awareness of sustainable tourism, showcase tourist flows, and foster public-private partnerships in the tourism sector. It will also promote Pakistan’s sustainable tourism destinations, highlight the role of the banking and financial sectors, and support successful tourism ventures, he added.Sheikh elaborated that tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries and a significant source of revenue for many countries. This crucial forum will host senior business leaders, representatives from chambers of commerce in OIC countries, travel experts, investors, and over 100 foreign delegates and exhibitors. Participating nations include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Turkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and others.

The FPCCI president noted that, according to global tourism statistics, 2024 is set to be a record-breaking year with an estimated 1.5 billion tourists worldwide and $11.1 trillion in economic activity, making tourism the third-largest industry globally.

The STF in Karachi comes at an opportune time, capitalising on this global tourism boom. It offers a gateway for Pakistan and other countries to showcase their tourism potential and seize emerging opportunities.

The forum will act as a platform for fostering sustainable tourism and promoting collaboration among participating countries. By showcasing tourism potential, it aims to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and solidify Pakistan’s position as a prominent sustainable tourism destination.