Sustainable development strategies for adventure tourism in the Hindukush, Himalaya, and Karakoram Region of Pakistan

The Hindukush, Karakoram, and Himalaya (HKH) region offers exceptional natural beauty and adventure tourism potential. However, realizing this potential requires a balance between development and sustainability to avoid environmental harm and negative impacts on local communities. This study identifies and ranks strategies for sustainable adventure tourism in the region, using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis and the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) method. The research area spans Gilgit-Baltistan to Chitral, with participants including government officials, experienced tourists, and knowledgeable residents, selected through purposeful sampling. Data was collected via questionnaires to identify key SWOT factors, generate strategies, and rank them based on relevance to sustainable development. The highest-ranked strategies emphasize public-private partnerships, climate resilience, community-based growth, tourist education, and international collaboration. This study offers a strategic framework for promoting sustainable adventure tourism in the HKH, aligning economic opportunities with environmental and community well-being.