Tourists Throng To Scenic Hilly Resorts In KP, Gilgit Baltistan To Beat Heat

NATHIAGALI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2017 ) : The scenic hilly places of Northern Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan have witnessed massive influx of tourists this year owing to significant improvement in law and order situation in the country as getting a room in quality hotels, motels and rest houses was become merely a dream for the travelers.

The KP's scenic hilly places of Nathia Gali, Ayubia, Naran, Kaghan, Kalam, Bahrain and Malam Jabba was being flooded with domestic and foreign tourists these days and finding a suitable room in hotels, restaurants and rest houses for staying along with families was an herculean task for tourists these days.

Nathiagali, a famous hilly tourist town of Abbotabad was attracting a large number of tourists this summer season from all the provinces where owners of hotels, plazas and houses were earning almost double compare to the previous years.

Keeping in view of massive increase of domestic tourists, the local people have vacated rooms of their houses for tourists in Nathia Gali, Ayubia, Kalam, Swat and Gilgit Baltistan to increase their profits.

Tourists were also being seen in tents at scenic tourists' places at Ayubia, Khanus Poor, Bhara Gali, Donga Gali and Thandyani where tourists were enjoying waterfalls, lush green valleys, meadows and snow-covered mountains peaks.

Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Managing Director, Khyber Pakthunkhwa Tourism Corporation (TCKP) told APP on Thursday that significant improvement of law and order situation has largely contributed to this massive surge in domestic tourism in Northern KP including Nathia Gali, Naran, Sogran, Swat, Kalam and Kaghan and about two million tourists were expected to visit these scenic areas this summer season.

The MD said about one million domestic tourists had visited these places of KP during Eid vacations that was a record. The TCKP rest houses, private tour operators, hotels, motels and guest houses have received record booking orders from domestic tourists this year compare to last year and the response of tourists was overwhelming this summer.

Mushtaq said Malama Jabba Chairlift and Skiing Resort destroyed during Swat militancy in 2009 were reconstructed on modern lines, which has attracted a large number of tourists this year. "Currently Ayubia Chairlift established in 1964 in Abbottabad are currently under operational control of Galyat Development Authority (GDA) and TCKP are planning to completely revamp it after its handing over and its advertisement would be issued soon," he said.

Naran valley located on bank of Kunhar River has also attracted large number of tourists due to presence of Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Lalazar Babusar, Noori Valley and Purbi Valley where students enjoyed waterfalls, horse ridding and boating.

The MD said a state of the chairlift in Naran was also planned and work on this mega project would start next year to boost tourism in KP. The Government has allocated Rs1.5billion for various tourists and communications uplift projects including parks, highways, widening of links roads/streets, beautification of tourists places in Kalam and work on its would start shortly.

Khurshid Alam, a tourist from Nowshera told APP that he came to Nathia Gali to escape scorching heat due to pleasant weather here. "The weather of Nathia Gali is very nice and people can come here without any fear," he said.

He, however suggested that high prices of hotels needed to be checked. He also appreciated Abbottabad traffic police for making proper arrangements for smooth flow of traffic during summer season.

Skardu, Shiger and Ghangche districts of Gilgit Baltistan was also attracting a large number of tourists this season after commencement of special flights of PIA to the region. The PIA has enhanced its flights schedule by operating two Boeing-730 flights on daily basis to the region that were seen packed with domestic and foreign tourists.

Famous tourists places like Khaplu Place, Shiger Fort, Thally Broq and Deosai Plains (14500 feet high of above sea level) are being flooded with tourists these days. The tourists requested for increasing facilities like separate parking place, arrival and departure lounge besides quick handing over of luggage at Skardu International Airport.

Holding Safarnaga Desert Jeep rally as announced by the Chief Minister GB shortly would also attract a large number of tourists this year to GB. Safarnaga is an attractive and highest desert of the world located in Gigit Baltistan where a jeep rally was being arranged by the GB government for which the Chief Minister GB has approved setting up of a Steering Committee under chairmanship of the Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan for successful holding of Safarnaga rally and other cultural programs in the province.

This massive surge in domestic tourism in KP and GB have confirmed the significant improvement of law and order situation owing to bold security polices of PMN Government that enhanced the image and prestige of Pakistan of being a tourist friendly country.