KP Welcomes Nearly 17 Million Tourists in 2023

News Desk

Abbottabad: From January 1st to December 26th, 2023, as many as 16,988,946 tourists explored the different districts of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Remarkably, KP welcomed 4,554 foreign tourists, signaling the province’s escalating global recognition as a premier travel destination.

The statistics were revealed by the Department of Tourism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in its annual report on tourist arrivals for 2023.

The comprehensive data, overseen by the World Bank’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism (KITE) Centres Project 1422, highlighted a significant influx of visitors.

From January 1st to December 26th, 2023, an impressive total of 16,988,946 tourists explored the diverse districts of the province. Notably, the count of foreign tourists visiting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reached 4,554, underlining the province’s growing global recognition as a travel hotspot.

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According to the Tourism Department’s report, Galyat emerged as the top attraction in 2023, drawing over 6.34 million tourists for sightseeing and recreational activities throughout the year. Naran Kaghan Valley and Malam Jabba also boasted substantial numbers, hosting 5.08 million and 3.54 million tourists, respectively.

Additionally, Upper and Lower Dir saw a combined influx of 1,380,740 tourists keen on exploring the region’s scenic beauty. Lower Chitral registered a significant number of 591,330 tourists, while Upper Chitral welcomed 38,771 visitors during the year.

Foreign tourist arrivals showcased a diverse landscape of interest. Lower Chitral took the lead by hosting 1,624 international tourists. Upper Chitral received 791 foreign visitors, while Dir (Upper and Lower) recorded 417. Swat Valley welcomed 237, Malam Jabba attracted 588, and Naran Kaghan Valley witnessed 897 foreign tourists.

These impressive figures underscore the rich array of attractions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, drawing heightened interest from both domestic and international travelers eager to explore the province’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural heritage.

The positive trend in tourism reflects the region’s forward-looking economic development and solidifies its position as a premier global travel destination.