An Analytical Study of Tourism Development in Northern Areas of Pakistan and AJK: A Study from the CPEC Perspective

Abstract

The CPEC is a mega project with international significance between Pakistan and China. This mega construction project has 54 billion US dollars' worth ranging from roads, railways and ports. Both countries claim that this will bring economic and political stability to the south Asian region that links Gwadar port of Pakistan with Kashgar in western China. Besides this, the link will also pass through Muzaffarabad the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Gilgit area. This research investigates factors affecting tourism in the context of CPEC in the northern areas of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. This research used a self-developed research questionnaire to collect primary data from tourism-related officials in Pakistan and Chinese workers working on different projects in Pakistan. SPSS statistical software was used to gain descriptive and inferential statistics for analysis. The key finding of this research is that there is a lack of proper awareness among the public and institutional workers to understand how to gain advantages from this project. It has been noted that CPEC will be helpful to develop the tourism sector if proper exposure and training will be given to the relevant employees.