Entry Fees Imposed at Tourist Spots in Gilgit-Baltistan: Mixed Reactions from Tourists

Islamabad:Recent imposition of entry fees at certain tourist destinations in Gilgit-Baltistan has sparked mixed reactions among tourists. While some visitors support the move and suggest increasing the fees to improve facilities, others have criticized the initiative, questioning its efficacy.

Speaking to *V News*, tourist Tahir Saleem expressed his support for the entry fee, suggesting that popular spots like *Deosai National Park* and *Khunjerab National Park* should charge higher fees to ensure better cleanliness and facilities for visitors. He argued that the current fees are too low and should be increased, with the collected funds being utilized for the improvement of tourist amenities.

However, renowned photographer Tahseen Reza, who has been visiting Gilgit-Baltistan for the past 15 years and worked extensively in the *Central Karakoram National Park*, voiced concerns over the utilization of the entry fees. He claimed that the money often ends up being used for the personal expenses and foreign trips of corrupt officials and ministers, rather than improving facilities for tourists.

Reza, who spent over a month at the *K2 Base Camp* recently, shared his discontent about the state of cleanliness in the area. He mentioned that waste was not being disposed of properly and was often left in the open. He further revealed that park staff were not paid adequately and were sometimes forced to ask climbers for food.

**Details of Entry Fees and Hotel Registration Charges**

According to a notification issued by the Finance Department on December 28, 2024, the following entry fees and hotel registration charges will be applicable:

– **Motorcyclists**: Non-local tourists will be charged **Rs. 500** per person.
– **Vehicles**: Non-local tourists traveling by car will have to pay **Rs. 2000** as entry fee.

In addition to entry fees, hotel registration and renewal charges have also been revised:
– **Five-star hotels**: Registration fee **Rs. 250,000**, Annual renewal fee **Rs. 100,000**.
– **Four-star hotels**: Registration fee **Rs. 200,000**, Renewal fee **Rs. 50,000**.
– **Three-star hotels**: Registration fee **Rs. 75,000**, Renewal fee **Rs. 40,000**.
– **Two-star hotels**: Registration fee **Rs. 50,000**, Renewal fee **Rs. 30,000**.
– **One-star hotels**: Registration fee **Rs. 20,000**, Renewal fee **Rs. 20,000**.
– **Aram Machine factories**: Registration fee **Rs. 20,000**, Renewal fee **Rs. 5,000**.

The new fee structure also applies to non-local hotels, including their registration and renewal costs.

**Tourists’ Demands**

While the imposition of entry fees is being accepted by some, many tourists have demanded that the collected funds be used directly for improving the basic infrastructure at tourist destinations. They stressed the need for better cleanliness, waste disposal systems, and essential amenities like washrooms in key tourist locations such as *Deosai* and *Khunjerab National Park*. Tourists have called for transparency in the utilization of these fees, ensuring that the money benefits the upkeep and development of the sites, rather than being misused.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how effectively these fees will be implemented and whether the promised improvements in services and facilities will materialize for the benefit of visitors to Gilgit-Baltistan’s stunning natural wonders.