What is the preliminary identification of barriers to tourism development in Gilgit-Baltistan with concrete recommendations/directions?

     

Tourism as subject was devolved to the Government of GB after promulgation of GB Order, 2018. Before devolution, the subject was entrusted to Gilgit-Baltistan Council under Ministry of KA&GB, Islamabad. The Department has been made fully functional since then, and is in a formative phase. The following major barrier and impediments are being faced by the department with regard to development of Tourism Sector since its inception.

1. HUMAN RESOURCE:

After promulgation of GB Order 2018, 03 divisions and 10 districts have been established for effective & good governance. Therefore, necessary human resource is direly needed in newly created districts and divisions. Similarly, domestic and foreign tourist inflow has increased exponentially for last several years. Furthermore, recently activities related to Tourist Services, issuance of Mountaineering and Trekking permits have also been transferred to GoGB. To strengthen legal framework, three Acts have been passed by GB Assembly for regulation of Hotels, Guest Houses and other allied facilities related to hospitality industry. It has increased working of the Department manifold at tactical level. Hence, for sustainable tourism and destination management a case has been initiated with Federal Government for creation of necessary posts in the Department of Tourism. Federal Government is requested to create bare minimum 100 posts at various levels. This human resource is required at tactical/operational level to make divisions and districts fully functional and to implement new laws/regulations & policies in the region.

2. LOW PRIORITY TO TOURISM SECTOR:

It is pertinent to mention here that only 0.2% of total ADP of GB has been allocated to the tourism sector in GB, hardly any PSDP project has been approved for GB in Tourism Sector, which shows the low priority given by Federal and Provincial Govts. to the Tourism Industry. More than 60,000 thousand individuals are directly and indirectly dependent upon tourism related activities.

3. SECURITY AND SAFETY OF TOURISTS, EXCESSIVE CHECKS BY LEAs:

Security and safety of tourists are of paramount importance specially security of foreign tourists in GB. However, owing to security protocols, check posts on KKH and Babusar road has created negative impressions about the region. Several areas have been declared “prohibited” by LEAs. Federal Government is being requested to initiate steps for invisible security instead of installing heavy check post along with KKH and other connecting roads in GB.

4. LACK OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN TOURISM SECTOR

Provincial Government has recently formed GB Board of Investment to attract private investment in different sectors. Recently GB Government has carried out necessary legislation to implement projects on PPP basis. Tourism Department has also initiated proposals on PPP basis with several organizations, civil society and communities for construction of tourist facilities in GB. Also, there is no proper Enforcement of Standards and Certifications, which needs to be enforced urgently to bring tourism at par with international standard and basic requirements.

5.LACK OF PROPER MARKETING AND PROMOTION

Marketing and promotion are major tools for tourism development. Due to huge financial implications, branding tourism potentials of Gilgit-Baltistan through tourists and travel channels like National Geographic Channel and Net Geo Adventure, desired inflows of tourists could not have been achieved. Similarly, there is no national and integrated approach towards participation of provincial tourism authorities at world level tourism exhibitions and marts being organized globally. Tourism Department Gilgit-Baltistan through its available resources brand tourism potential of Gilgit-Baltistan in few of the world level tourism exhibitions however magnitude of participation in such events need to be enhanced through integrated participatory approach.

6. INSUFFICIENT USE OF IT FOR TOURISM PROMOTION

Poor of IT facilities viz a viz provision of high speed internet, communication facilities, provision of online booking facilities and mobile accessibility facilities in GB is major barrier in tourism development. The Government of GB is in a process of developing a dynamic website and android application in corporation all necessary details for tourism information management.

7. DILAPIDATED TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Gilgit-Baltistan is famous for its Natural and adventure tourism products. The unplanned and haphazard construction has depleted the natural beauty of the area. Similarly, due to unavailability of alternate energy sources, dependency on natural resources has been increased which has resulted into deforestation. Resultantly natural environment of GB is depleting which has a negative impact on overall environment.

8. CAPACITY BUILDING AND TOURISM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Proper and trained human resource is major drive of Tourism development. Absence of required infrastructure in terms of tourism and hotel management training institutions in GB. Recently the Karakorum International University and University of Baltistan has introduced disciplines of Tourism and hospitality Management and accordingly the Gilgit-Baltistan government through its Annual Development Plan has earmarked funds for establishment of Mountaineering Institute in Skardu. However, a project for establishment of state-of-the-art Tourism and Hospitality Sector Tanning Institute for tourism sector workforce development is utmost through federal public sector development program. Similarly, capacity building of the human resource of the Tourism Department at divisional and District level is of paramount importance for sustainable tourism. The Government of GB has initiated several steps with different stakeholders to start capacity development refresher programs. Federal Government is also requested to some programs for national and international courses related to Tourism Management.

9. LACK OF RESEARCH IN TOURISM SECTOR

In order to make futuristic and strategic tourism sector development plans in GB, availability of benchmark data/information is of utmost importance. No such survey or researches have been made so far. Therefore, it is need of time to initiate evidence-based researches and inferences annually throughout GB, so that proper planning could be made for sustainable tourism development.

10. ENHANCEMENT OF AIR SORTIES AND PERMISSION TO DOMESTIC AIRLINES TO OPERATE IN GB

The only flight operator to GB is PIA from Islamabad. Flights are also subject to weather. Flights from other major cities i.e. Karachi & Lahore may also be started to enhance number of domestic tourists. All weather airports in Gilgit and Skardu may also be constructed. Other private domestic airlines may be bound to start flights in GB. This will help in increase in the domestic tourist flow in GB.