Northern areas fully packed with tourists

Islamabad

Northern areas of Pakistan are continued fully packed with tourists from across the country; a large number of tourists thronged various northern areas to enjoy their children summer vacations with their family and friends.

As everyone wants to enjoy festivity with their family at scenic hilly picnic attractions in the northern areas. Talking to this agency, PTDC Managing Director Abdul Ghafoor said, “PTDC has announced summer tour packages in the start of the summer season which continue till now with offering 20 per cent discounted rates on different motels accommodation, meals and transportation of PTDC motels".

He said number of people had been booking hotels and rest houses in hilly picnic spots in northern parts of the country. MD PTDC said northern parts of the country including Murree, Nathiyagali, Ayubia, Bhurban Patriata, Abbottabad, Swat, Naran, Kaghan, Shogran, Rawalkot, Nelum Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan had been witnessing a surge in domestic tourism.

He said these areas were likely to receive 50,000 to 60,000 local tourists this year due to summer vacations. Picnic spots including Abbottabad, Swat, Naran, Shogran and Kaghan were likely to receive 30,000 to 40,000 domestic tourists.

Summer vacations were another factor encouraging domestic tourists to plan their trips to the beautiful hilly areas of northern Pakistan, he added. He said that PTDC motels were spacious enough to accommodate a large number of people and its Naran motel has 60 rooms, which was situated on the bank of Naran River.

"The Naran valley was very pleasant and peaceful, which attracts a large number of tourists every year," he added. Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Development (GBTD) has issued special instructions for tourists, who intending to visit tourists places of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Talking to this agency, an official of Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Development said, "Tourists should confirm the road situation and about weather conditions before the start of their journey and they should also check the hotel reservation before the arrival".

He said tourists should confirm the air tickets on time if they are traveling by air and they should respect the culture and tradition of the particular area. Every tourist should have their identity card and passport and tourists should make sure about their garments as per the weather conditions, he said.

He said tourists could get the training about camping and tracking with the professional trainers and to use gas and oil for cooking instead of using wood for fire. He said tourists should be aware to drive slow from coming to Khunjarab, Babusar and also apply less gearing.

Every tourists should dispose of the leftovers in the allocated areas instead of spreading garbage everywhere. Due to monsoon rains the travelling could affect whether it may be road travel or by air tourists to adopt precautionary measures before travelling.