The Islamia University of Bahawalpur is the first university in Pakistan to initiate a directorate with a principal focus  on promotion & growth of primarily Bahawalpur region as premier tourist destination and subsequently entire Pakistan by developing sustainable tourism programs through joint ventures, public-private partnerships, sponsors /donors, N.G.Os & government departments and hence apprising the world with a soft image of Pakistan and eventually bring international tourism back to Pakistan. At the same time also focus on responsible means for sustainable developments such as to ensure eco-friendly environment which would ensure community based packages to create livelihood for the local dwellers without any damage to the flora & fauna of the region.

IUB-DoST especially focuses on the revival & sustainability of ethnicity & morals of local culture. The local inhabitants are losing their identity & values to the internet & western media. The rich Bahawalpuri culture is required to promoted among local populous to create confidence among our masses to take pride in their affluent traditions.

This is being accomplished by creating healthy earning opportunities for within the industry for the natives.  The effort needs identification & participation of stakeholders willing to see the escalation of the region as potential destination for diverse tourism.

IUB-DoST has prepared a model to achieve international standards for international tourism to flourish in each respective region of the tourist destination. 

This framework with special focus on ecotourism to adopt international ruling to meet the international standards on each attribute for national & international adequacy. Any region in Pakistan can take up the framework to apply on their region to ensure maximum output of respective region with proper promotion and at the same time preserve regional traditions/culture & climatic conditions by positively following the developed framework. 

IUB-DoST is already promoting Bahawalpur as tourist destination and in the process involved many stakeholders of public & private sectors. 

We are seeking to revive Jashn-e-Rohi (annual festival that used to take place each year but has long stopped). 

Bahawalpur Winter Festival will revive Jashn-e-Rohi combining it Pakistan’s current Calendar Event i.e. Cholistan Jeep Rally and other local events i.e. Channar Pir Mela etc.  for national & international tourism. The festival will comprise of two weeks of festive extravaganza during the last week of February and first week of March each year.

IUB will engage other public & private organizations & sponsors in developing the mega-event. 

No paid workforce shall be required as the IUB students seeking growth in the field of tourism shall have the opportunity to show their potential. 

Some local brands have already started planning for the mega event as the Vice Chancellor announced the proposed date for the first event.

IUB-DoST is seeking to organize archeological, religious, city & safari  tours for potential local & international tourists which will include city tour, visit to palaces/forts and dessert safari deep in Cholistan Desert.

DoST Travel  & Tours’ promotes initially Bahawalpur region to facilitate national & international tourists in order to create profitable income opportunity for the the local inhabitants.

IUB students will have the practical opportunity to get involved in this business as in-service training and hence no workforce shall be required.

Some local tour operators are working with DoST to create attractive packages for launching locally and internationally. 

The sub-offices are in process of development in Europe, U.S, Middle East & Far East which will focus on promoting Pakistan as tourist destination.

IUB-DoST will obtain travel agency license to arrange airline ticketing for the expediency of potential tourists and will earn profitable opportunities for local operators to work closely with IUB on public/private basis.

The DSAs of major airlines shall be established within the existing setup.

No employees shall be required for the job tasks as the students of IUB’s Department of Tourism & Hotel Management shall be utilized to gain experience of the industry.

IUB-DoST also plans to obtain Tourist Guide Licensing Rights from Department of Tourist Services, Islamabad; to grant the status of Tourist Guide to prospective students of tourism & hospitality  for the purpose of exposure & experience. These students will accompany the tourist groups to demonstrate their professional skills.

IUB-DoST is in process of  obtaining license for opening new hotels & restaurants from Department of Tourist Services, Islamabad.

 ‘IUB-DoST Hospitality Consultants’ will enable the directorate to provide consultancy to the potential hoteliers/restaurateurs.

We provide guidelines to the consultancy seekers to create new businesses, upgrade existing businesses through professional consultation.

(IUB already has consultation infrastructure in form of Directorate of P & D, Directorate of Architecture, Department of Estate Care & Department of Tourism & Hospitality).

IUB-DoST is providing practical training to the students of Department of Tourism & Hospitality Management by developing international standard practical labs at the existing facilities of University Guest House, Foreign Faculty Hostel & Executive Hostel.

The facilities have been upgraded to facilitate the students to be prepared to be part of national and international skilled workforce.

Our trained students can work locally or go abroad to earn useful foreign exchange and contribute to National Income.

The Department of Tourism & Hospitality is already through its professional marketing campaign is  welcoming international students through direct admission and exchange programs with other worldwide hospitality trainers.

IUB-DoST  has developed Banqueting Department to arrange all functions of IUB and may also commercially manage functions as caterers. Outdoor catering and take away service has been introduced to provide top quality food from our mass production kitchen at Foreign Faculty Hostel. Food will be provided on subsidised rates on order initially for the faculty members during lunch time at Baghdad ul Jadeed Campus.

IUB-DoST will promote Bahawalpur handicraft Industry (pottery, dresses, khusa, camel skin products.

Handicraft & souvenirs display centers will be developed for the tourists. We are in process of   signing M.o.Us with small industries for mutual financial benefits.

Chapter Chairs are being established initially in Europe & U.S and eventually in entire world who will promote Pakistani products and tour packages and eventually promote soft image of Pakistan.

We have also created on-line sale-purchase center for national/ international ordering of our Cholistani products. This will enable extra income for locals  in form of sale of traditional products & souvenirs. Our chapter chairs will establish our sub-offices on voluntary basis and will promote our products.

IUB-DoST is in process of signing M.O.Us with Bahawalpur Museum, Bahawalpur Central Library, and Bahawalpur Zoo to facilitate our tourists to visit these places on special arrangement.