I've just returned to Dubai from a quick business trip to northern Pakistan. A significant change since my last visit, only ten weeks ago, was the numbers of western tourists being bused around countryside which is not the most secure region on the planet nor an obvious holiday destination. I'm not talking about backpackers, who have always visited the northern provinces regardless of the political or security situation. The several groups I bumped into were late middle-aged and seemed fairly affluent. I don't know why I should think that such groups would present anymore of a target for extremists than me, the shear numbers I guess, plus the fact that they are conveniently grouped together inside buses.
Most visitors to the region (including me in the past) are drawen to the fantastic vistas of the western himalaya and hindu kush in which are located, I think, 8 of the world's 14 highest peaks. The chance to treck in their foothills is a clear attraction for outdoor enthusiasts globally, but the visitors I'm describing don't fit in this category and it's hard for me to understand, given current regional instability, just what is the attraction.
I'd be interested in anyone else's take on why the region should have recently increased in popularity for the 'mature money' segment.
Pakistan... surprised by how many tourists...
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maybe some people are starting too figure that the "american dream" is a farse and tempting fate and travaling the world is LIFE..
but I have a feeling most of the travalers you saw are from Europe and Isreal, they'll go anywere...
I heard Italians and German speakers, and noticed Canadian maple leaf patches on a couple's back pack. But no Israeli passport holders can enter the Islamic Republic. A colleague called from Islamabad today to enlighten me that at least one of the group's we saw were taking a helicopter safari to the Kalash valleys in northern Chitral.
It used to be that you had to be a very adventurous backpacker to get to certain destinations but as those 60's and 70's backpackers have grown up the dempgraphic has changed.
Here in the States I'm fascinated at the number of very high end adventure/expedition travel companies that will send you anywhere...with great guides and itineraries...coat is the only issue. For example Mountain Sobek, Absolute Asia and specialist like Turtle Travel.
As I see it people have less time and now these agencies enable you to go to very distant locales on a 3 week vacation...Mauritania anyone? Being able to say you visited northern Pakistan, Libya or Iran has a certain cache, though I have to say I don't see the Congo on this sort of list.
My husband and I went to Iran a couple of years ago and organized the whole thing through a local agency in Shiraz. However, although we didn't see any groups there, there were a large number of American based agencies offering "Persian itineraries" for small groups...normally for about 4 or 5 times the cost of organizing it directly.
I guess my point is that perhaps your late middle aged affluent group WERE backpackers just a few years down the road.
Good points welltraveledbrit. It hadn't occured to me before, but it makes perfect sense; once a traveler, always a traveler.
Coincidently, I'll be in Shiraz next week. Business unfortunately, we have some work on the new metro tunnels.
Go well
johnbey,
Contrary to popular belief on today's world, Pakistan is, by and large, a safe place to visit. What is newsworthy to the media, naturally does not inspire such confidence and I fully appreciate it. However, if you do your homework well and stay away from potentially dangerous places, you should be fine. After all, as you say, the northern parts of Pakistan has some of the most stunning geography in the world.
See http://www.tourism.gov.pk/ for info. And of course, drop me an email whenever you wish - I would love to be able to help out anyone contemplating a trip.
welltravelledbrit - once a traveller always a traveller - I like that!! And it's true - even if some of us still think we're twenty and haven't moved very far away from the budget road.
As for northern Pakistan - fascinating and with such sublime scenery - one of the (many) places I'd like to return to one day.