Weekly Travel and Tourism News Roundup
Pakistan’s Tourism Sector Expands with New Airline for Northern Regions
In a move set to enhance tourism accessibility in Pakistan’s northern areas, a new private airline—South Air—has officially announced the launch of its operations. The airline is expected to begin service within this year, offering twice-daily flights to Gilgit, Chitral, and Skardu from key cities including Islamabad and Lahore.
The introduction of South Air comes at a crucial moment for Pakistan’s domestic tourism landscape. Demand for highland destinations like Hunza, Skardu, and Fairy Meadows continues to surge, especially during peak seasons. However, limited flight availability and weather-related travel bottlenecks have long restricted seamless tourist access. By introducing consistent air service, South Air is poised to alleviate travel pressure and promote off-season tourism, potentially unlocking new revenue streams for local communities.
Tourism stakeholders have welcomed the move, citing it as a strategic advancement toward improving both domestic mobility and regional economic activity. South Air’s market entry reflects a growing recognition of northern Pakistan’s tourism potential—and the infrastructural gaps that must be addressed to meet rising interest.
✦ Source: SAMAA TV – South Air launches flights to Pakistan’s northern areas
CDWP Approves Rs151 Billion Development Projects, Including Key Tourism Infrastructure
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has given the green light to six major development initiatives worth a combined Rs151.33 billion, signaling a strategic commitment to infrastructure enhancement, particularly in the travel and tourism sector.
Among the headline projects is the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project, which seeks to develop sustainable infrastructure within KP’s growing tourist zones. This includes the creation of eco-friendly facilities, hospitality services, and the preservation of cultural and environmental assets.
In parallel, the KP Rural Accessibility Project aims to improve road networks in remote areas, a move that is expected to boost tourism and stimulate economic activity in previously underserved valleys and regions. Areas like Swat, Kumrat, and Chitral, known for their natural beauty, stand to benefit from improved access, making them more viable for year-round tourism.
The approval of these projects reflects Pakistan’s ongoing push to support rural development through eco-tourism, empowering local communities and making the tourism economy more inclusive and resilient.
✦ Source: Profit by Pakistan Today – CDWP clears Rs151B projects
Skardu, Hunza, and Gilgit See Sharp Rise in Tourists Amid Growing Sustainability Concerns
Gilgit-Baltistan, long celebrated for its breathtaking mountain vistas and rich cultural heritage, has witnessed a remarkable 121% surge in international tourist arrivals in 2024—one of the fastest-growing trends in Pakistan’s tourism landscape.
Destinations like Skardu, Hunza, and Gilgit have rapidly climbed global travel charts, attracting both domestic and international travelers in search of adventure, serenity, and authentic experiences. The region’s allure includes high-altitude lakes, trekking routes, local cuisines, and indigenous festivals—all contributing to a booming eco-tourism scene.
However, with the influx of visitors comes mounting pressure on the environment and local infrastructure. Communities are now contending with challenges such as deforestation, unregulated construction, water shortages, and insufficient waste management systems.
Tourism experts, environmentalists, and local stakeholders are calling for urgent action. Proposals include zoning regulations, eco-tourism guidelines, and public-private partnerships that can offer long-term sustainability while preserving the region’s delicate ecosystems.
As Gilgit-Baltistan becomes more accessible through improved roadways and new flight routes, the need for a balanced approach to growth and conservation has never been more critical.
✦ Source: Travel and Tour World – Northern Pakistan’s rise amid challenges
Unlocking Pakistan’s $5.53 Billion Tourism Potential by 2029
Pakistan’s tourism industry is on a clear growth trajectory, with recent projections estimating annual growth of 6.75% and a market valuation of over $5.53 billion by 2029, according to an op-ed published by Eurasia Review.
The analysis highlights Pakistan’s rich natural assets—ranging from mountain ranges and valleys to historical architecture and cultural diversity—as the core drivers of this potential. However, the report stresses that unlocking this economic opportunity will require a robust digital transformation across the sector.
Essential enablers include streamlined e-visa processes, digitized booking platforms, and seamless intermodal transport integration to improve the overall travel experience for both domestic and international tourists. In an era where travelers prioritize convenience, safety, and authenticity, Pakistan must now build an infrastructure that mirrors global standards.
Industry experts believe that Pakistan stands at a crucial turning point—where smart investments in tourism tech, marketing, and sustainability can establish it as a regional tourism powerhouse.
✦ Source: Eurasia Review – Unlocking Pakistan’s Tourism Potential
Editorial by ZunNurain Khalid, Founder and CEO of TrulyPakistan
Pakistan’s tourism industry is writing a new chapter. The developments this week—from a new airline dedicated to northern routes to the approval of billion-rupee tourism infrastructure—signal not just progress, but vision. While we should celebrate the surge in tourist interest, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, we must also raise the bar for sustainability. Our landscapes are delicate, our resources finite, and our legacy is worth preserving.
The fact that federal and provincial bodies are aligning to invest in accessibility and tourism development is encouraging. At the same time, the private sector’s entry with initiatives like South Air shows that tourism is no longer just a government-led narrative—it’s now a collaborative ecosystem.
At TrulyPakistan, we are excited about what lies ahead. And as we prepare for our Travel & Tourism Conference 2025, themed “Digitalization of Travel & Tourism through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration”, we invite all industry players to join hands. Pakistan’s story is just beginning—and together, we can write it responsibly and boldly.
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