Pakistan is looking to attract more Hungarian tourists, with the country’s embassy in Budapest hosting its first dedicated tourism promotion event for Hungary’s travel industry on 10 November. The event brought together representatives of major Hungarian travel agencies and tour operators to introduce them to Pakistan’s diverse attractions, flight connections and travel opportunities.
Titled “Discover Pakistan”, the event was organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in cooperation with Turkish Airlines at the residence of the Pakistani ambassador. Ambassador Asif Hussain Memon opened the programme, followed by a welcome address from the airline’s representative.
From K2 to historic cities: Pakistan’s tourism potential
Pakistan is perhaps best known internationally for its spectacular mountains, particularly K2, the world’s second-highest peak. The country is home to five of the world’s fourteen mountains exceeding 8,000 metres, making it a major destination for mountaineers and trekking enthusiasts.
However, the embassy’s presentation aimed to show Hungarian travel professionals that Pakistan has much more to offer than high-altitude expeditions.
Shehryar Qaisrani, the embassy’s Trade and Investment Attaché, introduced the country’s varied attractions, including the mountain valleys of Hunza, Skardu and Swat, Lahore’s Mughal architecture, archaeological sites, coastline and culinary traditions.
The presentation covered several types of tourism, from adventure and trekking to cultural, religious, culinary and coastal holidays, highlighting the potential for a wide range of travel itineraries.
Turkish Airlines explains flight connections
Accessibility was another key topic for the travel professionals attending the event. Turkish Airlines presented its flight connections to Pakistan via Istanbul, explaining transfer times and the options available to passengers during longer stopovers.
These include Touristanbul, a complimentary city tour for eligible transit passengers, as well as accommodation arrangements for longer layovers and lounge facilities at Istanbul Airport.
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Hungarian mountaineer shares his Pakistan experiences
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation by Hungarian mountaineer Dávid Klein, who has climbed four of Pakistan’s five eight-thousand-metre peaks without supplementary oxygen.
Having visited Pakistan 14 times, Klein described the country as his second home. However, his presentation focused on much more than mountaineering achievements.
He spoke about the relationships he had built over more than a decade with local porters, guides, drivers and families in northern Pakistan. According to Klein, the hospitality and genuine generosity he has experienced there are among the main reasons he continues to return.
He also discussed his approach to mountaineering, including his decision to climb without bottled oxygen, and the personal and ethical considerations behind it.
His first-hand experiences offered Hungarian travel professionals a personal perspective on what visitors can expect beyond the country’s famous mountain ranges.
Pakistani food and a prize draw round off the event
The formal programme concluded with a raffle, in which two prizes were awarded: a Turkish Airlines model aircraft and a flight ticket to Pakistan.
Guests then enjoyed a Pakistani lunch and had the opportunity to exchange contacts and discuss potential travel packages for Hungarian customers.
The event followed another recent initiative by the Pakistani Embassy to introduce the country’s culture and products to Hungary. In October, it organised Hungary’s first Pakistan Rice Festival, bringing Pakistani basmati rice to the attention of Hungarian chefs and importers.
Through these events, the embassy is seeking to build stronger connections between the two countries while encouraging Hungarians to discover more of what Pakistan has to offer.
