Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan has seen a record fall this year as both local and foreign tourists arrivals declined by nearly 90 percent, leaving the region economy in deep trouble.
International conflicts, natural disasters and poor weather conditions were declared the main reasons behind the sharp drop. Last year, more than 2,000 foreign climbers came to attempt peaks like K2, Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak. This year, however, only 270 international climbers reached the region.
Sajid Hussain, assistant director at the GB Tourism Department, said most mountaineers were forced to abandon their attempts due to avalanches, rockfalls and harsh winds. Only 40 climbers summited K2, 25 made it to Nanga Parbat and about a dozen reached Gasherbrum-I this season.
The overall picture is even more worrying. Iqbal Hussain, director at the department, revealed that last year nearly one million domestic tourists and 24,000 foreigners visited Gilgit-Baltistan but this year, arrivals fell drastically by 90 percent.
Tour operators said the fee dispute with the GB Tourism Department, regional conflicts like the Iran-Israel war, tense relations with India and unpredictable weather pushed many foreign visitors to cancel their trips.
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Local businesses are also suffering. A tea stall owner on the Karakoram Highway said he had never seen days pass without a single customer. Hotel owners, shopkeepers, drivers and porters are facing the same financial pressure.
Haider Abbas, owner of Gilgit Looms, said he had invested heavily in his business but was now struggling to pay salaries and rent. “This season has destroyed livelihoods,” he added.
