Tourists have contributed Rs300 million to the local economy in the past few years
KARACHI: The Gilgit-Baltistan region is one of the most attractive areas in the world and its economy could get a boost from tourism and trade with China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The area where the project headquarters will be located will gain the most benefits through it.
According to statistics released by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), 1.72 million tourists visited the region, which was more than triple the number of tourists to visit in the previous year. Tourists have contributed Rs300 million to the local economy in the past few years. Moreover, the tourism boom in the region was expected to increase to 2.5 million visitors in 2018, and contribute more than Rs 450 million to the economy.
Tourists visit Gilgit-Baltistan to explore the beautiful sites it has to offer, such as the K2 mountain, also known as Chhogori (meaning King of the Mountains), which is the second-highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest, and is the highest peak in Pakistan at 8,611 meters above sea level.
The Deosai National Park is a high-altitude alpine plain and national park and is located within the Astore District of Gilgit-Baltistan. The Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved international border crossing in the world (with China) and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway, while Naltar valley is famous for its beauty and the mountains provide a perfect location for skiing.
Syed Tabarak Hussain Shah
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2019.
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