Tourism in Pakistan in 2008 & onward
Given the turbulent state of affairs, Pakistan received fewer tourists as compared to years in the past. We still expect less turn out of tourists—both national and international ones—in the year 2009. However, it is realized that tourism industry is very much affected by the tense situation at national and international level, which are in many ways outside the influence of the local communities, who always bear the brunt of such untoward situation. Pakistan has consistently being projected as a turbulent destination by tour operators, tourism companies and governments around the world because of the prevailing condition in the country. This is where things take adverse turn for the people in those region where tourism has been a thriving industry in the past and people invested in the invested in improving tourism infrastructure within their given financial resources but for nothing to earn in return. In the meantime, social projects linked with tourism industry have also suffered a serious setback. Whatever is the capacity of the local indigenous communities, they do not spare their efforts to correct things. Let’s hope for the best in the years to come and to work with great commitment in order to promote ecotourism in the less developed region of the world including the remote region of Pakistan such as Chitral and Northern Areas.