Gilgit Baltistan is, perhaps, the most spectacular region of Pakistan in terms of its geography and scenic beauty. The world’s three mightiest mountain ranges- the Karakoram, the Handukuch, and the Himalayas – meet here. Gilgit Baltistan is like a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers, and anglers. The region has a rich cultural heritage and a variety of rare fauna and flora. Historically, the area has remained a flash point of political and military rivalries between the Russian, British, and Chinese empires. Immediately after the end of British rule in the sub-continent in 1947, the people of this region decided to join Pakistan through a popular local revolt against the government of Maharaja of Kashmir.
Five of the fourteen mountain peaks with a height of over 8000 meters, including the K-2 (the world’s highest peak) and some of the largest glaciers outside polar regions, are located in Gilgit Baltistan. Acknowledging the vast potential of tourism and its effects on downstream industries, the Government of Pakistan, as well as the Gilgit Baltistan Administration, are focusing on tourism for the creation of employment opportunities, achieving higher economic growth, and introducing to the outside world, “the hidden treasures” of Gilgit Baltistan.
Beautiful landscapes, unique cultural heritage, and rich biological diversity give Gilgit Baltistan a competitive advantage in attracting tourists worldwide.
The number of tourists visiting Gilgit Baltistan has steadily increased, notwithstanding the dip in figures immediately following 9/11. However, the challenge ahead is not merely to increase the number of tourists visiting Gilgit Baltistan but also to consider how tourism can be better promoted without affecting the area’s natural and cultural heritage while improving people’s quality of life to the desired levels.