Izmir (TDI): The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has named Lahore the Tourism Capital for Year 2027, on Saturday. The announcement was made during the sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization in the city of Izmir, Türkiye.
In 2024, the Pakistani delegation began an active campaign to declare Lahore as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027. Through effective diplomacy, Lahore’s selection was made possible after Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan withdrew their nominations in Pakistan’s favor.
Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif hailed the achievement as an honor for the province of Punjab and the entire Pakistan, calling the city of Lahore “the city of history, heritage and love.”
Alhamdulilah, a proud and historic moment for Pakistan and Punjab! Lahore—city of history, heritage, and heart—has been declared the ECO Tourism Capital 2027 at the 6th ECO Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Erzurum. With its breathtaking heritage, vibrant culture, and boundless…
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 26, 2025
She congratulated the nation on her social media platform X and expressed gratitude to ECO member states for choosing Lahore as the tourism capital for the year 2027.
She stated, “With its magnificent historical legacy, colorful culture, and immense potential, Lahore is ready to welcome the world. As the ECO Tourism Capital 2027, Lahore is set to become a shining center on the global scene.”
Furthermore, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to unveil the beauty of Punjab and the city of Lahore to foreign visitors.
A delegation from Pakistan reached Izmir on April 25 to participate in the selection process of ECO’s Tourism Capital for 2027. During the meeting, a special documentary was played which showcased the historic, cultural, and architectural heritage of Lahore, underscoring its massive tourism potential.
Read More: ECO Ambassadors Savor the Beauty of ‘Tourism Capital 2027’ Nominee
For the past four months, the Punjab Ministry of Tourism has been working tirelessly to secure this prestigious title.
On April 13, Ambassadors of the ten-member Economic Cooperation Organization arrived in Lahore to participate in 294th meeting of the ECO Council of Permanent Representatives, hosted by the Government of Punjab at the Civil Secretariat. A key agenda of the meeting was the selection of ECO Tourism Capital for 2027.
Each year, ECO selects one city from its ten member states to be honored as the Tourism Capital, to promote cultural exchange and tourism among the member states.
With Lahore’s selection as the tourism capital, the “city of gardens” has firmly stationed its position on the world tourism map.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, transatlantic geopolitics, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
