Pakistan sees huge jump in Chinese visitors

[nadeemkhan110]

ISLAMABAD - The number of tourism visa application to Pakistan submitted by Chinese in the first half year of 2016 jumped by 37 folds, according to an industry report.

According to China daily the visa center of Ctrip, a leading online travel agency in China, said new tourism destinations are increasing as top choices of Chinese mature outbound tourists and Pakistan is “a dark horse” this year.

“Driven by the strong relations between the two countries, many Chinese tourists put Pakistan on the top list of their outbound travel plans,” said Shi Yuzhuan, marketing director of the hotel division of ctrip.
com.

Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain said earlier that his country firmly supports China’s principles and positions on key issues concerning the South China Sea, Taiwan and Tibet, winning wide support and praise from Chinese netizens.

In the past, despite the close relations between China and Pakistan, the country in South Asia did not attract too many international tourist arrivals due to security reasons.

In 2015, Chinese tourists paid 120 million visits to countries and regions outside Chinese mainland.
However, the majority of them went to Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, as well as some western countries such as the United States and Britain.

Shi Yuzhuan, Chief Marketing Officer of Ctrip, said visits paid by Chinese outbound tourists would keep growing in the following years, however, their preferences have changed.

“Many traditional popular tourism destinations are losing visitors.
For an example, France has less Chinese visitors because of terrorist attacks,” said Shi.
“On the other hand, Chinese tourists are getting more mature and they would like to explore new destinations.
”

Besides Pakistan, tourism destinations including Kenya, Finland, Egypt, South Africa, Argentina, Czech, Israel, Iceland, received more visa applications from Chinese tourists in the first half year of 2016.

“Many of the visa applications were from second- and even third-tier cities of China,” said Shi.
“For example, the visa applications to Czech submitted from second- and third-tier cities jumped by five folds after Czech opened more visa centers in five cities.
Source: http://nation.com.pk/business/31-Jul-2016/pakistan-sees-huge-jump-in-chinese-visitors

 

[M.SAAD]

I see lots of Chinese in Islamabad .. one of the nicest lot in the World .

 

[Pandora]

Europe is a bit over rated. There more beautifull places in Africa and Aisa for tourists. Kashmir is a wonder on its own and we should develop tourism industry there as it will help locals as well.

 

[livingdead]

give us the numbers, 37 fold increase on what base?

 

[farhan_9909]

Last week saw three semi trailer without containers with chinese drivers.They were passing through Abbottabad.I don't know from which company they were but i have not seen any semi trailer of this size in Pakistan earlier.

 

[Assault Rifle]

@hinduguy

Total number of foreign tourist visits in Pakistan in 2015 were less than 6,000.

5,634 foreign tourists visited Pakistan in 2015, NA told
March 17, 2016

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that 5,634 foreign tourists visited Pakistan in 2015.
State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, replying to a question in the National Assembly, said that the number of foreign tourists decreased due to the law and order situation and incidents of terrorism in the country. He, however, said that the government was expecting an increase in foreign tourists inflow after the recent improvement in the law and order situation.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/105952-5634-foreign-tourists-visited-Pakistan-in-2015-NA-told

In comparison, Japan saw 410,000 Chinese tourists whereas India saw around 200,000 Chinese tourists.
Thailand saw a very high figure of almost 500,000 Chinese tourists.

 

[nadeemkhan110]

@hinduguy

Total number of foreign tourist visits in Pakistan in 2015 were less than 6,000.



https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/105952-5634-foreign-tourists-visited-Pakistan-in-2015-NA-told

In comparison, Japan saw 410,000 Chinese tourists whereas India saw around 200,000 Chinese tourists.
Thailand saw a very high figure of almost 500,000 Chinese tourists.

Forget 2015 now talk about 2016

I am living in Islamabad even my neighbors are Muslim Chinese and are very good people.
and they know English

 

[nadeemkhan110]

Any Source or just

 

[TheNoob]

@hinduguy

Total number of foreign tourist visits in Pakistan in 2015 were less than 6,000.



https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/105952-5634-foreign-tourists-visited-Pakistan-in-2015-NA-told

In comparison, Japan saw 410,000 Chinese tourists whereas India saw around 200,000 Chinese tourists.
Thailand saw a very high figure of almost 500,000 Chinese tourists.

Not surprising as we've been on a state of war.
and before it we were pretty troubled thanks to zardari that no one even bothers now.

 

[Assault Rifle]

https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/tag/ctrip/

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

@nadeemkhan110

In first half of 2016, number Chinese visa applications to Pakistan via ctrip company was 483, whereas the figure for India is 25168.

Ctrip.com estimates show that around 2000 Chinese tourists visited Pakistan in 2016, whereas the figure for India is over 100,000.

Just telling that Pakistan has a very very long way to go before coming close to India in number of Chinese tourists.

Pakistan used to be the top country in the region on tourism and saw a steady decline beginning with the Afghan refugee crisis then saw tourism hit flat ground during the beginning of war on terrorism.

Pakistan is a blessed country; with every terrain imaginable, hospitable people, vibrant culture and history - we have the potential to be at the top of tourism again once our situation is more calm and image increases. We're already seeing good development in tourism and are to expect much more.

 

[That Guy]

@nadeemkhan110

In first half of 2016, number Chinese visa applications to Pakistan via ctrip company was 483, whereas the figure for India is 25168.

Ctrip.com estimates show that around 2000 Chinese tourists visited Pakistan in 2016, whereas the figure for India is over 100,000.

Just telling that Pakistan has a very very long way to go before coming close to India in number of Chinese tourists.

In this case, I don't think a comparison is fair. Pakistan, for a long time now, had a security issue, which is finally being rectified, where as India's security issues are isolated in certain areas.

Also, it isn't so much the number, but what the increase means that is important. Increased Tourism means that there is stronger confidence among international travels that Pakistan is safe to visit, which is good for bringing in much needed hard cash to Pakistani markets and hotels; this also can lead to investor confidence, since Pakistan would be safe to visit, it would also be safer to invest in.

Pakistan doesn't need to match India, it just needs to look at its own needs, and fulfill them.

Pakistan used to be the top country in the region on tourism and saw a steady decline beginning with the Afghan refugee crisis then saw tourism hit flat ground during the beginning of war on terrorism.

Pakistan is a blessed country; with every terrain imaginable, hospitable people, vibrant culture and history - we have the potential to be at the top of tourism again once our situation is more calm and image increases. We're already seeing good development in tourism and are to expect much more.

Pakistan is also cursed, as it sits between so many geopolitical cold wars and rivalries. It must be very careful, because even if Afghanistan is fixed, the issues Pakistan faces will always be there.

 

[shah1398]

Total number of foreign tourist visits in Pakistan in 2015 were less than 6,000.

U dont expect a sudden shift from no tourists to a million is just an year but as per official reports, till now

"145,068 local 8,206 foreign, tourists visited hill stations: PTDC"

But let me give U the most surprising part:

"Around 3,758 foreign tourists had visited Gilgit-Baltistan, 175 Swat valley and 4,273 other picnic spots."

http://sosttoday.com/5577-2/#.V52jO_yKTIU

Yes we are talking about Swat here, which was once a hub of talis.

Nonetheless

http://www.theariesnews.com/2016/04/26/peace-brings-tourism-scenic-swat-226.html

Yes we have a long way to go but we are trying for that in best possible way.

 

[Pakistanisfirst]

Chinese people are always welcome to Pakistan to visit the most beautiful country in the world, north part of the Pakistan is called Heaven on the earth.

 

[Khan_21]

In this case, I don't think a comparison is fair. Pakistan, for a long time now, had a security issue, which is finally being rectified, where as India's security issues are isolated in certain areas.

Also, it isn't so much the number, but what the increase means that is important. Increased Tourism means that there is stronger confidence among international travels that Pakistan is safe to visit, which is good for bringing in much needed hard cash to Pakistani markets and hotels; this also can lead to investor confidence, since Pakistan would be safe to visit, it would also be safer to invest in.

Pakistan doesn't need to match India, it just needs to look at its own needs, and fulfill them.


Pakistan is also cursed, as it sits between so many geopolitical cold wars and rivalries. It must be very careful, because even if Afghanistan is fixed, the issues Pakistan faces will always be there.

The main problem with Pakistan is it being a nuclear power with majority muslim population attracts alot of negitive press from the west. Same is the problem with Iran. The world is recognizing how amazing Pakistan is and we are seeing a positive trend of increasing foreign tourist arrivals.