The tourism sector is one of the most stalwart sources to ameliorate the country’s economy promptly. Gilgit Baltistan is one of the tourist attraction areas in the world and it’s economy could get impetus by improving this sector. According to PTDC tourism contributed Rs 300 million to the local economy in the past few years. To boost the tourism industry, we must have to follow Dubai’s or China’s strategies to sponsor roadshows, promotional exhibitions, organize cultural, tourism festivals in foreign countries.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, almost everyone gets benefits either directly or indirectly through tourism. Tourism is the only industry to leverage the support the workforce of the northern region. Recently, many of the entrepreneurs initiated small businesses such as hoteling, handicaps shops, and restaurants.
Challenges
The vibrant issue in Gilgit Baltistan is poor and ragged infrastructure. If the government of GB is unable to upgrade infrastructure, accommodation, and ease in security checking then the future of Tourism could be in danger. How a foreign visitors from developed countries would commute through narrow and unpaved roads? Road infrastructure is completely turning visitors’ plans around in peak summer season which gives a pessimistic impression of GB. All such small things matter the most.
How we can do better?
The efforts of the government to improve the tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan are negligible. They have shut down 36 hotels and terminated the services of up to 400 employees. In GB’s natural pristine lakes, snow-clad peaks, and amazing waterfalls, their beauties are abysmal. So like Abu Dhabi which devised a policy to attract Chinese tourists through roadshows and promotional exhibitions in China. This could be done only with the help of government support then we will able to increase the Flux of tourists in GB. Social media would be also one of the cheap platforms to showcase the beauty of the region.
- If local governments formulate some SOPs to sell local agricultural products in the market, it will be a game-changer in the region.
- A proper hotel regulation commission will help to get customer satisfaction which ultimately attracts more and more traffic.
- Tourism promoting seminars, sports galas, and other extracurricular activities at the domestic level will also help.
- Government should surpass transport amenities.
Revenue of this sector is always soaring than its cost if we work honestly. So ‘’I am master of my fate and I am the captain of my soul ‘’by viewing these philosophical quotes we should move on the way to development.
Written By: Adil Wazir @wazir003
Blog: https://wazir9113.blogspot.com/
veteran swimmer, an expert in boating and fishing.columnist
