Chicago, 25 June 2022 (TDI): Five out of fourteen highest peaks in the world are in Pakistan, providing excellent opportunities to promote adventure tourism. The Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago, Tariq Karim delivered these remarks.

He was having a meeting with Pakistani mountaineer, Asad Ali Memon on Saturday. Memon summited the highest peak in North America, Denali, in May. The Denali peak is over 20,200 ft. altitude and is located in Alaska.

In addition, Memon aims to conquer the seven highest mountains in the seven continents unaided. He has summited four of them.

Adventure Tourism in Pakistan

Meanwhile, Pakistan is known for its beautiful mountain ranges in its North, which is a hot spot for tourists worldwide. In the North of Pakistan, 5 of the world’s highest mountains are over 8000m above sea level.

These mountains include K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, and Nanga Parbat. Summiting these 14 eight-thousanders is a mountaineering challenge that endorses adventure tourism in Pakistan.

For this purpose, mountaineers from different parts of the world travel to Pakistan each year to conquer these mountains and revitalize adventure tourism in Pakistan. Also, this keeps Pakistan’s tourism industry alive, significantly contributing to its economy.

Challenges to the Pakistan tourism industry 

The tourism industry in Pakistan has faced several challenges due to a lack of adequate infrastructure and facilities, security challenges, and terrorism.

In addition, the onset of pandemic Covid-19 and travel restrictions added to these problems. In 2020, an American travel magazine declared Pakistan one of the best destinations.

Currently, Pakistan offers travelers recreation, religious, sports, domestic, educational, and adventure tourism. Earlier in 2022, China and Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate to develop the tourism industry in both countries.

Furthermore, the Pakistan government has also introduced initiatives packages, including forming the National Tourism Board, an e-visa facility for 191 countries, and opening Skardu airport for international flights.