Universal helpline for tourists launched in Punjab

LAHORE: The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in collaboration with the Department of Tourist Services (DTS) Punjab has soft-launched the 1421 helpline for guidance and complaints related to tourist destinations.

Tourism Department Secretary Ehsan Bhutta said that a special team has been trained for the convenience of tourists which will not only guide them but will also be responsible for providing protection and facilities in case of unpleasant incidents.

The squads will be deployed at various tourist spots in Punjab, which will be available 24 hours a day to help the tourists, he added.
PITB e-governance Director General Sajid Latif said that the objective of training a tourism squad is to provide facilities to the tourists at various tourist destinations and prevent any unfortunate incidents.

Deputy Controller Hafiz Ghazanfer, Punjab Tourism for Economic Growth Project Manager Waqas Malik, PITB’s Citizen Contact Centre (CCC) Joint Director Ali Zeb, and other senior officials from both sides were also present on the occasion.

The special tourism squad will comprise 106 personnel including 11 female staff members, while as many as 82 members of this squad will perform their duties on the field.

The tourism squad will be responsible for handling tourist inquiries and complaints in the field. The squad, which will be initially deployed in Murree, will subsequently cover all 3 tourist destinations in Punjab, i.e., north, center, and south.

In this regard, extensive training is ongoing to equip the squad with the required skills. The Department of Tourist Services, Punjab has also engaged Rescue 1122, the Institute of Hospitality Department, Punjab, and PITB for this purpose. These departments are collaborating to equip the squad with the necessary skills.