China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC), tourism demand, and environmental concerns: policy implications for sustainable tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan

The mega-infrastructural development project provides easy access to remarkable tourism destinations and keeps attracting tourists. Tourist data from the tourism department of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan, show that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project's impact positively relates to tourism demand. GB is at the early stage of tourism development, and residents show a willingness to support tourism even though tourism costs outweigh benefits. Besides, the existing tourism policy of Gilgit-Baltistan focuses explicitly on economic sustainability but overlooks the socio-cultural and environmental concerns. Therefore, the present study based on the stakeholder theory provides policy implications to minimize adverse effects on socio-cultural and ecological resources and achieve sustainable tourism.