Even at a time when world geopolitical equations seem changing, the travel lists being issued by BBC also seems changing in wake of newer trends being emerging across the globe. In the same reference, BBC recently released a new list of 25 best places in the world to travel, however much to travellers’ surprise, not even a single city from India has found a place in this comprehensive list.
BBC, in its story says, that BBC Travel journalists and some of the world’s leading sustainable travel authorities, such as the United Nations World Travel Organization, Sustainable Travel International, the Black Travel Alliance and the World Travel & Tourism Council have helped comprise the list.
This list has Sri Lanka, Naoshima from Japan, Pakistan’s Gilgi-Baltistan region among these 25 best places in world to travel. Besides these Asian countries and regions, the list has Wales, Arizona in US, The Dolomites Italy, Dominica, Labrador, Canada, Western Australia, Panama, Morocco among others.
Pak in this article has been referred to as one of the great surprises for travellers. It says that the country is hoping a slew of responsible tourism initiatives and new sustainable efforts will lure eco-conscious visitors to explore its breathtaking northern regions; home to five of the planet’s 14 peaks towering over 8,000m – including the world’s second highest, K2.
Salam Pakistan (Pakistan’s first-ever national tourism brand, which launched in 2023) allows travellers to easily apply for e-visas and make bookings on the digital platform, including the coveted mountaineering and trekking visa. It only takes a quick glance at the list of mountain peaks and treks to see the scale of Pakistan’s unmatched adrenaline opportunities., says this BBC article.
The article refers Gilgit Baltistan region as heaven’s gate however the heaven of earth Kashmir finds no place in this article.
As per the article, “Pakistan is much more than staggering mountain trails. The scenic Gilgit-Baltistan region – dubbed “heaven’s gate” – is brimming with lush valleys, pristine lakes and glacial waterfalls. Cradled between trails are the Hunza Valley’s fragrant cherry blossoms and apricot orchards, undulating Unesco-listed Deosai plains and Shangri-La-esque mirrored lakes. Venture towards the Pakistan-China border to find the Khunjerab Pass, which will be operational year-round starting in 2025.