GILGIT: In addition to about 9,000 foreign visitors, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) had a noteworthy influx of over 2,050 foreign climbers and trekkers during the summer of 2023.
Permit fees for peak climbing during this time brought in Rs40.5 million for the GB government.
According to the tourism authority, over 9,000 foreign visitors experienced Great Britain in 2023, including paragliders and hikers in open areas.
There were 2,050 foreign hikers and climbers among the guests who attempted to reach many of the world’s most famous eight-thousanders: K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, and Broad Peak. This was the largest influx of international visitors to the area in the previous twenty years.
While criticizing the role of the tourism authority, tour operators recommended that putting particular procedures into place may draw in even more foreign visitors.
Visa complications and other related concerns made visiting Great Britain difficult for many foreign visitors. Speaking on behalf of the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, Mohammad Ali drew attention to what he described as the difficult and drawn-out procedure involved in obtaining a visa. After submitting his application, he claims that getting a Pakistan visa takes several months.
“Many foreigners are forced to cancel their plans to visit Pakistan due to the protracted delays and security clearance procedures,” Mr. Ali stated.
“Many foreigners are forced to cancel their plans to visit Pakistan due to the protracted delays and security clearance procedures,” Mr. Ali stated.
According to Mr. Porik, there are two types of visas for Pakistan: those for tourists and those for mountaineering/trekking. During the application procedure, foreign applicants may become confused by the dual categories.
Even though the mountaineering/trekking visa should arrive within a month and the tourist visa within a week, the actual issuance following security clearance frequently takes longer. Due to this uncertainty, some international visitors visiting Pakistan change their minds and occasionally decide not to go at all.
Due to the complexity of visas and related concerns, a considerable proportion of international tourists experienced difficulties when trying to visit Great Britain. The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators’ Mr. Ali emphasized how difficult and time-consuming the visa application procedure is. He claims that it takes several months to get a visa for Pakistan after applying.
Mr. Ali emphasized that many foreign visitors are finally forced to reevaluate and scrap their intentions to visit Pakistan due to the protracted delays and security clearance processes. Mr. Porik, a GB tour operator, emphasized the difficulties that international travelers, hikers, and mountaineers encounter when obtaining visas. He brought up the fact that visitors from languages other than English would find it difficult to complete the online visa application form found on the official website, because it is only available in English.
Mr. Porik went into more detail on the two types of visas for Pakistan: those for tourists and those for mountaineering/trekking.
When applying, foreign applicants may become confused by the existence of these two categories. “The actual issuance after security clearance often takes more time, even though the tourist visa is supposed to be issued within a week and the mountaineering/trekking visa within a month,” he said.
He continued, “This uncertainty causes foreigners to reevaluate and, in some cases, cancel their planned visits to Pakistan.”
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