Zaheer Ahmad, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM) and COTHM Travel Solutions (CTS), recently represented COTHM and Pakistan at the ECO Tour Operators Forum held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event, which took place on May 2-3, 2024, served as a platform for industry leaders to convene and collaborate on promoting sustainable tourism in the region.
During the forum, Zaheer Ahmad participated as a panelist in a discussion centered around the theme of “The Silk Roads across the Middle East and Western Asia: Rebuild of historical ‘SILK ROAD’ traffic route with main organizational details.” His insights shed light on the potential of revitalizing the historical Silk Road routes to boost tourism and economic growth across the region.
Zaheer Ahmad proposed a groundbreaking initiative to facilitate tourism among ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) countries by introducing a special visa akin to the Schengen visa. This special visa would enable genuine tourists from ECO countries to travel visa-free, thereby opening up new opportunities for business and cultural exchange among the member nations.
“As we look to harness the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Silk Road, it is imperative that we remove barriers to travel and facilitate seamless movement of tourists across ECO countries,” remarked Zaheer Ahmad. “Introducing a special visa for ECO nations will not only promote tourism but also foster stronger economic ties and cultural understanding among our diverse communities.”
As a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality sector, Zaheer Ahmad articulated the importance of leveraging historical and cultural assets to create unique travel experiences. He emphasized the need for strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop sustainable tourism practices along the Silk Road routes.
Zaheer Ahmad’s visionary proposal has garnered significant attention and support from industry leaders and government officials alike. His advocacy for promoting tourism along the Silk Road routes reflects a commitment to developing regional cooperation and economic development through sustainable tourism initiatives
