Gilgit: Gilgit-Baltistan’s (GB) tourism sector marked a historic milestone over the weekend as the region’s Tourism Department approved 469 mountaineering and trekking visa applications in a single day — the highest number of such permits ever processed within 24 hours.
Officials confirmed that the department had received a total of 555 applications for climbing expeditions in the 2025 season, already surpassing last year’s total of 423. The significant surge in interest is being attributed to GB’s inclusion in several international “Must Visit Destinations for 2025” lists, notably by CNN. These endorsements follow an aggressive global tourism campaign launched by the GB government in recent months.
“This is a direct outcome of our strategic outreach and reforms,” said Zameer Abbas, Secretary of Tourism GB. “We’re witnessing renewed global interest in the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, particularly after improvements in permit policies.”
The spike in interest marks a major turnaround for the region’s tourism economy, which faced turbulence last year due to controversial changes in permit fees. In late 2024, the GB government had increased fees substantially and replaced the group-based permit system with per-person charges — a move that drew criticism from tour operators and climbers, ultimately leading to a sharp drop in bookings.
After facing legal challenges and industry pushback, the GB Chief Court issued a stay order on the revised fee structure. In response, the regional cabinet approved a more balanced pricing model in May 2025. The royalty fee for K2’s summer climbing permit, for instance, was reduced from $5,000 to $3,500. Trekking fees were also lowered across all seasons to encourage more footfall.
GB is home to some of the world’s most iconic mountains and high-altitude terrains, including five peaks above 8,000 metres — K2 (8,611m), Nanga Parbat (8,126m), Gasherbrum I (8,080m), Gasherbrum II (8,035m), and Broad Peak (8,051m). The region also features over 100 peaks above 7,000 metres and houses some of the longest non-polar glaciers, making it a sought-after destination for climbers and trekkers worldwide.
Tour operators say that the revised fee structure and fast-track processing have played a vital role in this year’s renewed momentum.
“The new system is not only affordable but also more efficient,” said a representative of a Skardu-based expedition company. “This level of responsiveness from the government is something we haven’t seen before.”
With the summer climbing season now underway, the record-breaking permit approvals are seen as a strong indicator of recovery and resilience for Pakistan’s northern tourism sector. The GB government’s proactive measures — from fee revisions to global outreach — appear to be paying off, just months after the industry stood at a crossroads.
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