CULTURAL CHANGE THROUGH TOURISM IN KARIMABAD HUNZA, GILGIT-BALTISTAN

Abstract

The research analyzed the cultural development or culture change through tourism in Karim Abad Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan. People in Hunza were well educated, socially awarded, economically resourceful, and mentally developed and mature. The majority of the population in Karim Abad were involved with tourism-related businesses or doing jobs in the private sector. The district Hunza, especially Karim Abad, is considered a hub of tourism where millions of tourists annually visit historic places. There are many historical places like Baltit Fort, Shistat stone carving, Ziarat in Chuperson and Altit Fort. The Baltit Fort is located in Karim Abad. The facilities are more likely available to the tourist in Hunza as compared to the other regions of Gilgit-Baltistan. The qualitative research approach has been chosen and designs thematic analysis of the collected data. The unstructured, structured, and in-depth interviews have been conducted with participants during fieldwork. The interview guide/open-ended questionnaires were used to collect data. The results showed that the majority of the participants were males and doing tourism-related businesses in Karim Abad. Tourism has both positive and negative impacts on the cultural development or cultural changes in the region. The interaction with tourist the local people has learned different languages, enhance their economic activities, increase their social engagements. Moreover, tourism enhanced the cultural diversity, the association among the local people and the tourist. On the other hand, tourism has some negative impacts, but they are very few. The results were based on the tourism and culture development, barriers on the way of tourism, tourism management in the region, the positive impact of tourism on culture, and the negative impact of tourism on culture change. In conclusion, tourism has changed the culture, norms, and values of Karim Abad’s population. These impacts are more likely positive and based on the developmental approach.