Tourism _ ( In response to Taji's Post )

Pakistan is a unique country with a varying landscape_ the only one of its kind with extensive geographical and cultural diversity. Variation of the sort that ranges from a coastal belt more than 1000 miles long to 108 peaks that are more than 7000 metres (many of which remain unexplored to date). Out of the fourteen heighest peaks of the globe, four are located in Pakistan.Some of the longest glaciers of the world like Baltoro and heighest or 2nd heighest ( termed by few) plains of the world ( Deosai ) are situated in Northern Areas.

Then we have the places that were home to some of the most ancient civilizations of the world. Namely Harrapa, Taxila , Moenjodaro and Swat.

Following his visit to Skaradu, I was recently having a conversation with a European gentleman who has been to five continents of the world so far. He was of the view that the beauty and landscape of the region is unique and unmatched.

I guess I am one of those blessed persons who had the opportunity to travel and hike extensively through length and breadth of our country. Its a shame that despite having such immense potential we have failed to develop our tourism industry.

More importantly, its the perception that goes against us. I have recently been to Gilgit again and trust me the areas remains one of the most peaceful_ far from any sort of trouble. But there was visibly a drastic cut in the number of foreign and local tourists for obvious reasons.

I have traveled thrice on KKH from Islamabad to Gilgit and beyond and its an amazing experience. Something I would like to do again.

A very valid point. It was indeed painful to see how the Malaysians(when I visited there in 2007 ) were smart to ( taking nothing away and meaning no offence )sell their pretty ordinary stuff and landscape with right blend of packaging, branding and marketing to earn huge amount of foreign exchange. But what I realized was that they had the leadership, the vision and the commitment to turn things around and no wonder they were able to create that outstanding perception that makes their tourism thrive like anything.

Having all said and done, security concerns for one and indifference and complete lack of effort to promote tourism is enticing the local visitors to hunt for foreign options_ let alone inviting and attracting foreign tourists.