Adventure Tourism Woos Foreign Investment Via Digital Platforms

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Chitral: The Trich Mir Mountain in Pakistan recently received its first snowfall, creating a serene atmosphere with cold breezes and chirping birds. This mountain is the highest peak in Pakistan outside of the Gilgit-Baltistan region, standing at 7,708 meters above sea level and ranking as the 33rd tallest peak globally.

Adventure enthusiasts find Trich Mir captivating, and it’s perfect for mountaineering and adventure sports from May to September. The region also offers opportunities to explore the unique Kalash culture that settled in Chitral centuries ago.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority believes that Swat and Chitral, with features like river rafting, trout fishing, snowfall, paragliding, mountaineering, biking, and skiing, will become Pakistan’s winter tourism hubs. Specifically, Trich Mir, Kalam, and Malama Jaba are well-suited for skiing due to regular winter snowfall.Despite its potential, adventure tourism has been somewhat overlooked in Pakistan, impacting the country’s economy and development. Tourism contributes to Pakistan’s GDP, but it saw a decline in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In comparison, countries like China, Malaysia, and Indonesia have seen significant earnings from tourism.The need to promote Pakistan’s scenic sites and mountains, utilizing digital technology, is emphasized. It’s expected that tourism in Pakistan, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, will grow with the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, and better connections between Pakistani and foreign tourist companies are encouraged.

Camping pods have been established in various scenic locations, providing affordable accommodation for tourists. These pods offer comfortable stays at lower prices compared to private hotels. More camping pods are planned in different areas.There are also plans to construct a cable car between Madaklasht Chitral and Kurmat Dir Upper, which is expected to boost adventure sports and tourism. This project, estimated to cost $200 million and funded by the World Bank, could attract around 1.2 million tourists and adventure enthusiasts each year, benefiting the Malakand division’s tourism and businesses. The project is in its feasibility study stage and may take several years to complete.Pictures Credit: KP Tourism Department & Hunza Guides