ROLE OF LOCAL FOOD AND HANDICRAFTS IN RAISING ECO-TOURISM IN THE NORTHERN AREAS OF PAKISTAN

The present study was design with the main aim to examine the role of local food and handicrafts in the promotion of Eco-tourism in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. For this purpose three stakeholder tourists, tour operators and tour guides with the sample size of 10, 12 and 48, in three villages of upper Hunza were purposively selected. The data were collected through pre-tested interview schedule. The study reveals that in the raising of eco-tourism the local food and handicrafts played a major role. Eighty percent of the sample respondents said that the hotels and food provided to the tourists was according to their standard. Ninety percent of the sample respondents mentioned that the local food play a vital role in the promotion of eco-tourism. Seventy six percent of the sample respondents were of the view that there is a need to improve local food in order to make it appealing for the eco-tourism. The study also revealed that 79% of the sample respondents said that the local handicrafts have a role in the promotion of eco-tourism. Majority of the sample respondents were of the view that the eco-tourism renders no negative effects on the communities. Forty three percent of the sample respondents mentioned that the natural beauty of the area needs exposure. The eco-tourism also contributed 44% to the economy of stakeholders. The study recommends the training for local mountaineers and trackers, guides about the local environmental related issues and the establishment of a Museum in Northern areas to display and promote the artifacts and relics discovered from archaeological sites in the area.