Gilgit-Baltistan’s Tourism Industry Suffers as India-Pakistan Tensions Rise

Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan is suffering as tensions rise between India and Pakistan. Many foreign tourists have cancelled their trips, causing big losses for local tour operators. According to Ali Anwar Khan, General Secretary of the Gilgit-Baltistan Tour Operators Association, each operator has lost between $50,000 (Rs. 14.1 million) and $80,000 (Rs. 22.5 million) this year. The main reason is fear of conflict after a deadly attack in India-occupied Kashmir in April. Many countries have issued travel warnings, and tourists from Europe, Thailand, and other places have cancelled their bookings. Some tourists who are already in Gilgit-Baltistan want to leave early because they are worried about safety. The situation has also affected mountaineers who come to climb peaks like K2. Legal issues over permit fees have delayed the process, and hundreds of foreign climbers are waiting for clarity. Last year, about 25,000 foreign tourists visited the region of Gilgit-Baltistan. This year, the number is much lower because of the current situation. Domestic tourism is still strong, with 1.5 million Pakistanis visiting last year, but the loss of foreign tourists is a big setback for the local economy.