ISLAMABAD: Though natural calamity and lack of facilities have been major issues for tourists in northern areas of Pakistan, what matter the most is how the local government, administration and locals deal with the visitors.
After the horrific incident of snowstorm in Murree this year which claimed 23 precious lives in snow-stranded vehicles, the approach of government, local administration and residents of major tourist areas has been under debate in the country.
There was a social media campaign urging tourists to stop visiting Murree after videos showing local hoteliers and transporters misbehaving with tourists surfaced on the internet. Visitors in the areas were shown complaining about substandard food, lack of hospitality ethics and sky-high prices for accommodations.
However a government inquiry regarding the issue had reportedly found the widespread propaganda exaggerated. The committee also reportedly learns about selfless acts of support by local individuals and hotels.
However, the situation in Gilgit Baltistan seems quite different where thousands of tourists, visiting both in the summer and winter seasons, found praising the local community for extending support to the outsiders.
Talking to this scribe, Arif Amin and his family, who, along with hundreds of others, was stranded in Hunza after blockage of Karakorum Highway (KKH) following a dispute between two villages in Districts Hunza and Nagar over a piece of land, said that it was very pleasant surprise to see locals opening their houses for tourists to stay.
“The locals offered us free stay and meals at their houses when we were stuck up after the violent dispute erupted between residents of Ganish village of Hunza and Nagar Khas area of Nagar over a land dispute on the KKH,” Arif said, adding that the hospitality of the locals shown during the blockage, which continued for couple of days, was amazing and unprecedented.
Even those residents actively engaged in the dispute were trying to protect the tourists from any unwanted situation and difficulties, he added.
Another tourist, Ahmed Ali, said that not only the local residents but the owners of the hotel had also offered free accommodation to those stranded in the area. “I am sure the hospitality of people in GB is known to everyone,” he added.
Mrs Arif, who owns a holiday spot in Hunza, was of the view that hospitality and cooperation of locals in GB have no match in the tourism industry. There is almost zero street crime in GB which gives confidence to the visitors and tourists to visit and live in picnic points of the beautiful mountainous region.
“What the industry here needs is basic facilities like uninterrupted electricity supply, water, sanitation and other related things to promote more tourism in the area,” she said.
The Government should at least not allow every protester to come on road and block highways and main trajectories as the same would definitely affect the overall tourism industry, she concluded.
When contacted, Raja Nasir Ali Khan, Minister for Tourism, Sports, Culture and Archeology and Youth Affairs of Gilgit-Baltistan, said that the hospitality and tourists friendly attitude of locals were among the major factors encouraging visitors to visit the hilly areas of GB.
He said the local government was paying special attention to promoting tourism in GB. According to him, a number of steps were being taken to develop infrastructure, facilities of adventure sports and tourism services etc in GB.
“The local government now has a ‘Tourist Police’ to ensure smooth movement of tourists across the region. It has also established a ‘Tourist helpline’ for security and provision of timely assistance to tourists,” he added.
Jafar Ali, a local journalist, however, opines that as GB attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists especially during summer season, the government, apart from infrastructure development, needed to focus on environmental or social consequences of the boost in tourism industry.
“What unfortunately happened in Murree has a clear lesson for GB and KP where management issues are also visible. Since uncertainty about weather conditions remains in the GB, the regional government, district administration and others concerned needed to be vigilant and prepared for 24 hours during the tourist season,” he added.
It may be mentioned here that thousands of passengers, including tourists, were stranded on both sides of Gilgit-Skardu road last month after it was blocked due to landslides at several points near Stak and Shangus areas of Roundu following an earthquake. The stranded tourists and passengers were later airlifted from Gilgit and Skardu as the road remained blocked for a week.
