A Host Perspective on Positive Impacts of Tourism on Local Community of Kalash Valley, Chitral, Pakistan

Abstract

Tourism is one of the emerging and important industries of the world. Pakistan has got a wide potential for the development of tourism, especially in its northern areas. Kalash valley in district Chitral is one of the favorite tourist resorts, located in the extreme north of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Tourism in any area brings with it numerous changes including geographical, cultural, economic, and social changes. Such changes have both positive and negative impacts on the local community. This research aims at finding out the positive impacts of tourism on residents of Kalash valley. A survey was carried out with the locals. A structured questionnaire was designed and data was collected in the local language. The findings reveal that tourism brings with it interesting things in life. It has improved personal and community quality of life.