Lahore has been included in the race to be named the 2027 ECO Capital of Tourism.

A 25-member delegation from the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will visit Lahore on April 13, 2025, where the announcement for the ECO Capital of Tourism designation will be made.

The honor has been previously awarded to Uzbekistan's city of Samarkand and Turkey's Erzurum for 2025.

The ECO consists of Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Each year, the organization selects one city from its ten member countries to receive this prestigious title. Lahore's nomination is particularly notable due to its rich historical, cultural, and tourism heritage.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb receiving the ECO Capital of Tourism designation will be a major advancement in promoting Pakistan’s national heritage, history, and culture.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who invited the ECO ambassadors to Lahore, expressed her intention to showcase Lahore’s historical, cultural, and civilizational vibrancy to the world. She emphasized that Lahore's inclusion in the nomination process marks a significant step towards global tourism promotion for both the country and the province.

Purpose of ECO Capital of Tourism Designation

The ECO Capital of Tourism program, launched in 2019, aims to highlight the historical, cultural, and tourism potential of the region’s cities on the global stage. The decision regarding the 2027 ECO Capital of Tourism will be made at a meeting of the ECO Permanent Representatives Council to be hosted by the Punjab Chief Minister at the Civil Secretariat.

During their visit, the ECO delegation will tour several historical sites in Lahore, including the Walled City and other cultural landmarks, as well as the Safe Cities Authority. A lunch will be hosted in their honor at the Governor’s House.