Tourism, mainly due to its considerable economic impact in many areas has influenced the lifestyles, social systems, traditional institutions, and values and norms of the mountain people. There has been a positive impact on the traditional art and handicrafts in the Northern Areas, which are very much valued by the tourists due to their unique and incompatible designs and structure. This, however, also has implications. The traditional arts and crafts with low commercial value are running at a danger because of being marginalized due to commercial practices. However, the biggest negative impact of tourism has been the commercialization of culture that has led the traditional rituals and festivals to lose their symbolic value and turned these into mere tourist attractions. ¹⁴

Mountain tourism, if not properly planned and managed, can have devastating effects. It can degrade and stress fragile mountain ecosystems, destroying the quality that makes these environments so alluring. Mountain people are the stewards of mountain ecosystems. These people must also be consulted and their valuable suggestions must be incorporated while taking any decision in order to develop tourism. Tourism must be sustainably planned so as to ensure that the beauty of mountains could be enjoyed by present and future generations.

One of the most promising answers to the challenge of developing mountains wisely for recreation is ecotourism. Defined by the International Ecotourism Society as "responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people". Eco-tourism currently accounts for two to four percent of global tourism. It can help reduce poverty and hunger in mountain areas, where a high proportion of the world's poor reside. It also has considerable potential for strengthening communities and protecting mountain ecosystems. During many eco-holidays, tourists help out with projects that protect endangered species and habitats. Handled properly, ecotourism can be a valuable tool in advancing tourism, especially for poor mountain communities in the developing countries of the world, without destroying natural resources and the environment. ¹⁵

Works Cited

• Hussain, Syed S., Arshad M. Khan, and Shahzad A. Mufti, eds. Mountains of Pakistan: Protection, Potential and Prospects. Islamabad: Global Change Impact Studies Centre, 2003. 133-232.



• International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development - Newsletter No.28, 1997. [ International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)]



• Mountain Heritage of Pakistan: The Essential Quest. Islamabad: UNESCO, 2002. 1-51.



• Tourism- Toolkit

¹⁴ Ibid.
¹⁵ tourism-tk

Tourism || Benefits and Distribution || Environmental Degradation