The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government's efforts to promote tourism promotion have started yielding results as Traveller by Condè Nast, one of the world's best travel portals, has listed Pakistan as one of the top tourist destinations for 2020.
"The adventure traveller's must-visit goes from strength to strength," said the world's leading travel magazine while highlighting Pakistan's scenic and mesmerizing tourist attractions.
Outlining the adventure tourism potential in the country, the magazine wrote: "Pakistan has more peaks taller than 22,965ft than China and Nepal combined, making it an almost magnetic spot for adventure travellers and intrepid hikers."
"Visitors can follow in Michael Palin's steps while traversing the 12,250ft Shandur Pass, home to the world's highest polo field, or meet with the Kalash people of the Hindu Kush, famed for their cowrie-shell headdresses and brighter-than-bright embroidery," it noted.
The magazine also mentioned the recent visit of Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the measures taken by the government including relaxed visa restrictions.
Pakistan was on Saturday named the top holiday destination for travelers for the year 2020 by the United States-based luxury and lifestyle publication Conde Nast Traveler. The listing follows several positive reviews of the tourist attractions in the country by travel bloggers, YouTube vloggers, magazines and adventure clubs.
It would not be wrong to say that the world is waking up to the enormous tourism potential Pakistan has, and with a government willing to invest in the sector to boost economic growth, the year 2020 could be pivotal in shaping the tourism industry of the country. It could put Pakistan firmly on the adventure map for travel enthusiasts.
Last week, travel company Wild Frontiers named Pakistan as the country to travel to in 2020. In a short announcement, the company tipped Pakistan as the next big destination for a couple of years, reporting a 20 per cent increase in customers willing to travel to Pakistan compared to 2018.
In 2018, the British Backpacker Society had also ranked Pakistan the number one travel destination in the world.
As the world comes to Pakistan in 2020, here is a list of holiday destinations in the country for anyone who wishes to experience adventure and beauty on their travels to the country.
Naran Kaghan
The Naran Kaghan valley always tops the list of places to visit while touring northern Pakistan. The valley is replete with beautiful scenery and pleasant weather through the summer months, although it does get chilly in the winters.
Skardu
Skardu is a paradise for climbers and trekkers. The ever-flowing Indus river runs along the length of the region, and finds its path through mountains, valleys and forests.
Hunza
On the third place, we have the crimson valley of Hunza that is well known for being colourful and having a rich historical background. Hunza has so many captivating spots that they cannot all be depicted here.
Ziarat
Ziarat is also a place that should be explored. Located in the south-western province of Balochistan, and encompassed by mountains, the area is a popular tourist spot both in the summers and winters.
In addition to positive reviews, the tourism industry in the country has also been given a local boost by new policies adopted by the government. Prime Minister Imran Khan, earlier this year, announced a new visa policy for 175 countries to promote tourism and investments in Pakistan.
The new policy drops the requirement of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for foreign travelers to visit certain areas. The requirement of an NOC, however, remains in place for visiting border regions. In June this year, British Airways also resumed flight operations to Pakistan.
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