Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: About 80 million domestic tourists annually travel for tourism purposes inside the country.

According to an official of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), domestic tourism has increased manifold as picnic resorts are receiving a record of people.

The northern parts of the country, including Murree, Nathiya Gali, Ayubia, Bhurban Patriata, Abbottabad, Swat, Naran, Kaghan, Shogran, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, Leepa and Gilgit-Baltistan, have been witnessing a surge in domestic tourism.

The PTDC rest houses, private tour operators, hotels and motels are receiving record booking orders from domestic tourists this year.

The PTDC is operating a seasonal bus service between Rawalpindi and Naran to promote domestic tourism. The Naran Valley is very pleasant and peaceful, which attracts a large number of tourists every year.

The PTDC offered 40 percent discount on accommodation during this Ramazan, which attracted more domestic tourists and an increase of 25 percent was witnessed.

The official said that Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, Leepa and other parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir had also been attracting a large number of locals over the last couple of years.