ISLAMABAD:
Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has been witnessing an unprecedented increase in local tourists from different regions of Pakistan.
This can be attributed to the rhetoric promoting tourism in the region adopted by the government. Furthermore, in the peak season, the social media is flooded with photos and videos showing grandiosity of G-B’s mountain peaks, natural beauty of its numerous valleys and serenity of its lakes. The downside to this narrative is the tacit understanding that G-B has no other option but to rely on tourism for economic activity.
In fact, the Covid19 has severely impacted income opportunities for the sub-regions of G-B solely relying on tourism. Further, there is little discussion on the environmental effects of tourism on the region’s people, cultures and natural ecosystem. Thus, there is a need for economic diversification. The talent and creativity of the people of G-B warrants its re-envisioning as a creative economy. A creative economy…