Pakistan Tourism

Pakistan, with the world’s oldest civilization, exotic mountain beauty and splendid seasonal variety, has immense tourist potential. The sacred religious places, which spread throughout the country, make Pakistan an attractive place for a variety of people and religions. The tourism assets of Pakistan include a coastal zone spreading over one thousand kilometers along the Arabian Sea offering long term development potential for beach resorts, diversified natural deserts in the south and beautiful hill stations and valleys in the north. It has also great potential for tourism sports like mountaineering and trekking. The relics of the Indus Civilization in the south, Gandhara Civilization in the north and the great heritage of Mughals in Punjab are exceptional cultural assets of Pakistan. There are also great adventures zones with the high mountains located in the north of the country, where four of the world’s largest ranges meet.

Northern Areas of Pakistan are very beautiful that attract not only local tourists but also international tourists to visit and stay on this heaven on earth. North Pakistan spread around about 72,496 sq. km. These areas are very beautiful for their small and big valleys, natural lakes and highest peaks. The eye catching peaks attract even in winters with heavy snowfall and these peaks are the highest peaks in the world. These peaks start with heights from 1,0
Pamir with densest concentration of the highest peaks on earth including the Mount K-2 (8611m), second only to Everest are the best-known attraction for the mountaineers.

Trekking, Mountaineering and Hiking are three main activities that attract the adventuresome people to the North of Pakistan. In addition to adventure possibilities, which North Pakistan offers to the intending tourists, the recent opening of Central Asian region has destined Northern Areas to serve as a major entry point for tours combing joint country product. The Karakoram Highway, which in fact is rebuilt of Silk Route, provided a conduit to this region. .This heaven on earth includes regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Hunza, and Shangrila. Other attractive places of Pakistan also include Swat valley, Chitral , Naran and Kaghan, Murree, Bhurban, Thandiani, and Nathiyagali and many more.

The tourism sector investments in the country are dominated by private sector with the role of public sector mainly as a facilitator. Almost the entire hotel, restaurant, travel agency and tour operator business is in the private sector. The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is also operating a limited number of hotels and roadside facilities in areas where the private sector has been reluctant. The Department of Tourist Services (DTS) is responsible for maintaining the standard and categorization of hotel industry. The Ministry of Tourism looks after the entire public sector interventions including formulation of policies and overseeing the legal and regulatory framework.