PTDC expands vision for sustainable tourism with strategic visit to Taxila and Khanpur

RAWALPINDI, Jul 18 (APP): Managing Director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Aftab ur Rehman Rana visited Taxila and Khanpur to explore opportunities for promoting heritage tourism, strengthening public-private collaboration, and expanding youth capacity-building initiatives.

During the visit, he toured the offices of Gandhara Odyssey (Pvt.) Ltd., Glaxit software development firm, and the Gandhara Taxila Center for Development (GTCD).

He was warmly received by Sohail Ahmed, CEO Gandhara Odyssey (Pvt.) Ltd. and Program Coordinator of GTCD, along with Riaz Ahmed.

During the meeting, the managing director PTDC and the CEO Gandhara Odyssey focused on enhancing historical, cultural, and religious tourism in Taxila and Khanpur, promoting the global significance of the Gandhara Civilization, preserving archaeological heritage, improving visitor facilities, advancing digital tourism, and strengthening collaboration between government institutions and the private sector.

Both sides agreed to expand joint initiatives aimed at positioning the region as a world-class heritage tourism destination.

The meeting also reviewed the recently concluded National Travel and Tours Training Program held in Islamabad.

Sohail Ahmed and Riaz Ahmed appreciated PTDC’s support in organizing the initiative in collaboration with Gandhara Odyssey (Pvt.) Ltd. and GTCD, describing it as an important step toward equipping young people with practical skills in tour guiding, travel management, and hospitality.

Riaz Ahmed proposed launching a similar training programme in Taxila to provide local youth with access to professional tourism education.

Responding to the proposal, Aftab ur Rehman Rana assured the participants that PTDC would work towards organizing the programme in Taxila within the next two to three months.

The delegation later visited key heritage sites, including Sirsukh, Jaulian, Mohra Muradu, Sirkap,  where discussions focused on heritage conservation, visitor management, tourism infrastructure, and measures to further develop the region in accordance with international tourism standards.

Concluding the visit, the PTDC Managing Director commended the efforts of Gandhara Odyssey (Pvt.) Ltd., Glaxit IT Company, and the Gandhara Taxila Center for Development in promoting sustainable tourism, preserving cultural heritage, empowering youth, and engaging local communities. He reaffirmed PTDC’s commitment to supporting collaborative initiatives that contribute to the long-term growth of Pakistan’s tourism sector.

The visit represents an important step towards strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors to unlock the tourism potential of Taxila and Khanpur while safeguarding their rich cultural and archaeological heritage.