'DTS shown 200pc surge in revenue generation in 6 months'

LAHORE: Advisor to CM for Tourism and Archaeology Asif Mahmood has disclosed that the Department of Tourist Services (DTS) has shown good performance by making a 200 percent increase in revenue generation during the last six months.

While addressing an inauguration ceremony of the DTS building here on Tuesday, he said that the government collected Rs2.5 million under the head of hotels registration in 2019-20 while Rs6.5 million were received in 2020-21. He added that 78 new hotels, 124 restaurants and 190 travel agencies were registered while 2000 more hotels and restaurants will also be registered by the DTS.

"The DTS has also completed a survey of non-registered hotels and restaurants and notices have been issued to 498 hotels and 1465 restaurants for registration. It has the power to seal registered hotels, restaurants and travel agencies," he added.

He further said the DTS has been directed to launch a user-friendly web portal as well as improve its services. He assured that the staff shortage in the DTS will be fulfilled.

Punjab Tourism Secretary Ahsan Bhutta said that DTS will act as a regulator of agencies associated with the tourism sector. Head of DTS Hafiz Ghazanfar Ali briefed about the future roadmap. On the occasion, Asif Mahmood distributed commendatory certificates to field supervisors Touseef Latif, Dildar Hussain and Zahid Iqbal. Meanwhile, the Tourism Development Corporation of (TDCP) launched a tree plantation campaign at its head office. TDCP Chairman Dr Sohail Zafar Cheema, TDCP MD Tanveer Jabbar, General Manager Operations Asim Raza, General Manager Administration Tauqeer Haider Kazmi and a large number of officers and employees were present on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021