20th Anniversary of World Tourism Organization.(1995-1)

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) is the leading intergovernmental organization in tourism. Headquartered in Madrid, WTO is entrusted by 125 countries and territories with the promotion and development of tourism. WTO’s mission is to develop tourism as a significant means of fostering international peace and understanding, economic development and international trade.
With an affiliate membership of over 250, WTO is the only intergovernmental organization open to the operating sector. It provides a vital forum for government and the industry to meet and address issues of common interest and concern.
WTO Activities
Cooperation for Development - Education & Training Environment & Planning - Quality of Tourism Services Statistics & Market Research - Communications & Documentation
WTO\'s 20th Anniversary year celebrations include an ambitious schedule of events beginning with the Asian Tourism Conference in Islamabad in January.
The day to day work in 1995 will continue to be focused on six principal areas: environment and planning; statistics and market research; education and training; quality of tourism services; cooperation for development; and communications.
Pakistan is a country constituting cradle of many civilizations which span the whole length of human history. Aryans, Bactrians, Scythians, White Huns, Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Turks and Mongols descended in turn on the fertile valley of the Indus and settled there to give the land a cosmopolitan flavour, historical richness and variety found in new countries.
In 1947 the area blossomed into the independent state of Pakistan. Presently a large number of tourists invade Pakistan from Europe, United States of America, Africa and other Asian States.
They came by road via Afghanistan or Iran, by air and by sea.
In Karachi one can go sailing, fishing, yachting, or sunbathing in year round sunshine, drive to the Old City to pick up exciting bargains of the orient or stroll through the frenetic bazaars for a taste of chicken tikka or leg of lamb fresh from the oven.
One can walk along romantic Anarkali Bazar in Lahore or the fabulous Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi its cavernous lanes where workmen sit cross-legged and sip cups of mint-flavoured tea, and discover some of finest gold and silver filigree work in the East.
In Peshawar one ventures into the fabled Qissa Khwani Bazar and mingle with the Pathans and perhaps even meets some old men from the mountains of Xinjiang or Tashkent with a far away look in their eyes, peddling incense of lizard skins. For those wishing a glimpse into the past, Pakistan offer an endless source of discovery and enchantment.
Fort of Lahore is a prime tourist attraction it is one of the most striking examples of Mughal architecture with its Diwan-e-Aam, the marble Bara Dari and its incomparable Shish Mahal studded with scintillating mosaics of glass and small convex mirrors of different hues set in arabesque patterns. The Badshahi Masjid ranks as the largest mosque in the world. The three-tiered Shalimar Garden masterpiece of Mughal landscape gardening. Emperor Jahangir, Akbar\'s son, lies buried in Lahore in a mausoleum which is perhaps the most beautiful Moghul monument in the sub-continent.
Four hundred miles north of Karachi is Moenjodaro major metropolis of one of the world\'s earliest known civilizations. These are the remains of the famed Indus Valley civilization which rivals those of Egypt and Mesopotamia. At Taxila near Islamabad the Capital of Pakistan has been discovered yet another archaeological treasure the Gandhara sculptures, representing the impact of Greek ideas on local culture.
The more adventurous of course are lured to Gilgit easily accessible by air and by Karakoram Highway from Rawalpindi. Few other places in the world can compare with the alpine grandeur of Gilgit and Hunza or near by Swat. The air journey to Gilgit is breathlessly exciting particularly when the plane passes over the scenic Kaghan Valley. One can view as many as thirty seven peaks enroute, all over 24,000 feet high including K-2 (8611 meters) the second highest mountain the world. Nanga Parbat (naked mountain) so called because its raw majesty is lit by the rays of the sun.
Several excellent museums at Moenjodaro, Taxila, Bhanbore, Swat, Umerkot in Sindh (where Akbar the Great Mughal was born while his father Humayun was fugitive), Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar has pre-served the life and arts of the past including some fine examples of Gandhara Art.
These include stucco and bronze heads of Buddha coins, jewelry, pottery and of course the mysterious pictographic seals of Moenjodaro which scholars have as yet been unable to decipher.
To commemorate the occasion Pakistan Post is issuing stamp of Rs. 4/- denomination on January 2, 1995.