ISLAMABAD, Sept 16 (APP): After the successful tourism season at all major tourist spots of the country, the picturesque Jewel of Pakistan, “Gilgit Baltistan” received record number of domestic tourists as around one million tourists visited the area from March to August 2016.
For the last few years, tourists lost their interest in the tourism activities due to various reasons but this year the government of GB remained successful in attracting people from urban areas, Punjab and Sindh with the support of local communities, improved road network and proper advertising through exhibitions.
The support of local communities encouraged the tourists to promote tourism and ultimately the peace in the region and the soft image created by the local people this year will go long way and GB is expecting to receive more tourists in the next year.
Those living in Gilgit Baltistan call it as the Jewel of Pakistan, which has the treasures of high peak, snowy mountains, fresh water lakes, lush green fairy meadows, gentle breeze, singing birds, strong legacies of art and culture and mosaic of ancient traditions.
Gilgit-Baltistan endowed with most unique geographical feature in the world, has collection of some of the highest and precipitous peaks in the world, boasting more than 700 peaks above 6,000 meters and more than 160 peaks above 7,000 meters.
This mountain wealth makes Pakistan an important mountain country as the compelling charm of these high, challenging, endless sea of rugged rock and ice pinnacles attract large number of climbers, adventure seekers and nature lovers from across the world each year.
The government of Gilgit Baltistan this year engaged the people of Gilgit Baltistan in promoting tourism activities as for past few years the inflow of the tourists witnessed a decline, said Minister for Kashmir Affairs and GB and Governor GB, Ch Muhammad Barjees Tahir.
Local festivals played an important role as the government and private organizations fully participated in the festivals not only to make them successful but also promote the tourism business in Pakistan by making the northern areas as a safe heaven for the tourists.
The people of GB are multilingual to facilitate the visitors in selling their local products including hand made traditional household items, precious and semi precious stones, fruits, crops, livestock, local food, arts and crafts.
APP/Cdra/mka/VNS Islamabad
