Free e-visa fuels unprecedented growth in Pakistan’s tourism sector

ISLAMABAD (Zubair Kasuri): The Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) program, launched by the Ministry of Interior on the special instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 14, 2024, has yielded impressive results.

Hotels across Pakistan, particularly in major cities, are fully booked months in advance.

According to hotel industry sources, rooms in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi are now commanding prices of $250 per night. An industry official confirmed that the VPA has sparked a surge in tourism, with online hotel bookings increasing by 200 percent.

This unprecedented growth is providing employment opportunities, generating revenue, and boosting tax collection for the government. The e-visa facility is revolutionizing Pakistan’s tourism industry and proving to be a game changer for the country’s development.

Online booking platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb show room rates doubling year-on-year, with increases of thousands of percent in recent months. Tourism experts attribute this surge to the VPA, which has made Pakistan a more attractive destination for leisure and religious tourism.

Ministry of Interior spokesperson revealed that travelers’ sentiment towards Pakistan is overwhelmingly positive. The Ministry is working closely with stakeholders like the FIA, NADRA, and the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure smooth travel arrangements for visitors, he said.

“Airlines are also reporting packed flights following the visa simplification move,” the spox maintained.