ISLAMABAD: The British Backpacker Society, which ranked Pakistan as the number one adventure travel destination for 2018, will return to Pakistan next week to undertake a trailblazing expedition into the icy mountains of Karakoram and Himalayas.
The backpacker society members Samuel Joynson, Adam Sloper and Michael Worrall, in an interview with a private news channel, said that their last visit to the country made headlines around the world after they ranked Pakistan as the number one travel destination.
The trio had ranked Pakistan as the top travel destination owing to its “incredible” hospitality and “mountain scenery that is beyond anyone’s imagination”, they added.
Emphasising on the mutual benefits of adventure tourism to both travellers and governments, Samuel stated that the British Backpacker Society will continue to promote Pakistan and other developing tourism markets to travellers around the world.
“We were helpful in catapulting Pakistan into the consciousness of adventurer travellers around the world,” members said.
“Earlier this year, we were delighted to see the government of Pakistan liberalising its tourist visa policy with the introduction of a visa-on-arrival programme and we believe that this is an important first step in realising the country’s huge tourism potential,” they added.
Talking about their upcoming trip, the trio said that they plan to enter Pakistan from the Wagah Border and then make their way to the mountains.
All three co-founders of the organisation will be touring Pakistan this time unlike in 2016 when Michael was unable to visit.
Regarding his first trip to Pakistan, Michael said, “I cannot wait. I have heard so many stories from Samuel and Adam about the natural beauty, friendliness and the food of Pakistan, and I am really looking forward to experiencing it myself.”
The team have designed their latest route through Pakistan to feature regions of the country that they enjoyed during their last visit, in addition to those rarely visited regions which they believe hold real potential for international tourism.
Samuel, Adam and Michael will start their journey from the Wagah Border and then head north towards the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
Adam said that he was “particularly excited to see the mountains of KP in late autumn”, noting that he had heard from his Pakistani friends that “the scenery in the mountains is particularly dramatic at this time of year”.
“I have bought a new pair of gloves though I understand that it could get a bit cold,” Michael added.