FROM MENAHILL RASHID
FAISALABAD: The media must enhance its media role in the promotion of tourism and economic activities that will help improve the living of the people.
It was stated by Prof Dr. Jalal Arif, Principal Officer, Department of Public Relations and Publications (PRP), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) while addressing a seminar on the role of media in promoting tourism and business at New Senate Hall UAF. Director Information Faisalabad Division Owais Abid was the guest of honor while UAF Senior Tutor Dr. Shoukat Ali, Senior Journalists Hassam Ahmed, Gulraiz, Iqbal Bhatti and student Natasha Murtaza spoke on the occasion.
It was organized at by the Senior Tutor Office and PRP.
Dr. Jalal Arif urged the media to play its full role in creating an environment conducive to promote tourism and business development in order to curb economic woes. He said that although there has been an increase in the news of tourism and business on electronic media in the last few years, but we need to further increase the space on media in order alleviate poverty. He said in order to cultivate progressive thinking, new avenues of prosperity can be paved by highlighting the positive aspects in the media.
Director Information Owais Abid said that it was time to use electronic media as well as print media to promote tourism. He stressed the need to give proper space to articles and features about the tourist destinations in the country and it must be made a regular features . He said that tourism directly provides opportunities for new economic activities which bring prosperity to the locals as well as improve their lifestyle. He said that nature has blessed Pakistan with beautiful valleys and excellent climate. It is imperative that we present our beautiful culture and national beauty to the foreign tourists through media.
Senior journalist and literary personality Hussam Ahmed said that electronic media gives more time to coverage of political parties and talk shows. Although the space for tourism has improved for the last few years but it is not enough. He said that special attention has been paid to tourism in morning shows. Until a few years ago, the culture and desert rally of Cholistan was not well recognized at the national level but now, thanks to media, it is well acclaimed at national and international level. He said that besides the northern areas, rural and tourist places of Punjab have unique beauty but unfortunately it has not been presented before the public on media.
Media person Gulraiz said that the beauty of tourist places is being presented to the people in a positive way through social media. He said that valleys, beautiful lakes and snow-capped mountains have a unique status in the world.
Media person Iqbal Bhatti said that increase in tourism and economic activities is essential for poverty alleviation.
