Delegations from Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states have started arriving in the historic city of Erzurum for the selection of the “ECO Tourism Capital” for the year 2027, according to a handout. 

Among the contenders for the coveted title are Lahore (Pakistan), Mary (Turkmenistan), and Karakol (Kyrgyzstan).

Representing Pakistan, a high-level delegation led by Punjab Minister for Agriculture Ashiq Kermani has reached Erzurum to advocate for Lahore’s candidacy. The delegation includes MNA Ali Akbar and the Secretary of Tourism. They will participate in the 8th ECO Tourism meeting and the 6th ECO Ministerial Meeting on tourism, where countries will present their tourism potential through briefings and cultural showcases, including a documentary screening.

Lahore’s nomination has been supported by a sustained campaign over the past four months by Punjab’s Department of Tourism, highlighting the city’s rich cultural, historical, and architectural heritage. As a result, Lahore has been shortlisted for the 2027 title. Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb extended her best wishes for the delegation and stated, “If Lahore is selected as the ECO Tourism Capital, it will open new doors for international tourism in Pakistan and will be a proud moment for the country, particularly for Punjab.”

Previously, the Uzbek city of Shakhrisabz held the honor, while Erzurum itself has been named the ECO Tourism Capital for 2025. ECO, a regional economic bloc, includes ten member states: Türkiye, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Earlier this year, the ECO ambassador visited Lahore at the invitation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and the Permanent Representatives Council of ECO also held its meeting in the city—bolstering Lahore’s standing as a cultural hub in the region. The final decision on the 2027 ECO Tourism Capital is expected to be announced following the ministerial sessions.