Safety Tips For Tourists

Abu Zafar Sadiq

My earlier article on Swat Tragedy and Risk Management has taken into the account broad steps to be taken by the Government and other key stakeholder to ensure mountain regions of Pakistan are safer tourist destinations. This article shall be focused on the safety tips for the domestic tourists who can themselves ensure their travel experience is safer to a great extent.

Broadly speaking, there are two types of the domestic tourists in Pakistan. Most of the tourists visit to enjoy the scenic beauty of lush green valleys, snow capped mountains, flowing rivers, green pastures and forests. A large number specially youth is attracted towards adventure tourism in zipline, trekking,  rock climbing, mountaineering, rafting, water and air sports. We can group these tourists into two categories i.e. Soft and Hard adventure tourists. For the purpose of this Article, I define, Soft Adventure who travels to mountain regions of Pakistan where comparatively lower level of risk and safety measures are required. Such tourists usually do not take active part into higher risk of adventure. They require less safety measures. On the other hand, hard adventure tourists take higher risk activities i.e. mountaineering, rock climbing, air/water sports. They need much more higher level of safety measures and specialized services which are offered by specialized tour operators and service providers in Pakistan. These tourists take active part in Hard Adventure. It includes, Zipline, Rafting, Mountaineering, rock climbing, Air ballooning, Zipline, Para gliding etc. Such adventure mostly termed as adventure sports. The safety procedures and protocols are formulated by the respective sports federations since such activities fall within the jurisdiction. Since, this kind of adventure needs specialized and focused safety measures quite distinguished from soft adventure, I shall be writing a separate article on it next week. In this article I would attempt give few tips for safer tourist experience of Soft Adventure tourists who intend to visit mountain regions of Pakistan.

The tips are classified into two Sections. First provide tips before travelling and secondly, during the travel. Let us have a quick look how we can take care of our safety before we start our travel.

• First of all one should research the area to know about the weather, terrain, local customs, and any travel advisories.
• If you are availing package, ensure that tour operator is a licensed and authorized to conduct such trips.
• Avoid scheduling your trip on Eid and other holidays/long weekend when tourists overflow into the mountain regions.
• Plan your travel and share your itinerary with family or friends. Avoid going to remote areas without informing your near and dear ones.
• Identify nearby medical facilities and emergency services, including 1122 and tourist police help lines etc.
• Ensure that your vehicle is fit and driver is experienced of such mountain regions driving.
• Pack smartly. The clothing should also be chosen which suits to the travel. Female should avoid unnecessary items as they are used to carry while visiting their relatives etc. Carrying layered, waterproof, and warm clothing will be useful, depending upon the weather conditions of the intended destination. Also, include essentials: flashlight, power bank, first aid kit, medicines, map and whistle.
• Check weather forecasts and void travel during monsoon season due to landslide and flood risks.
• Get travel insurance and ensure it covers evacuations, and medical emergencies.

Next, we talk about the tips during travelling.

• Listen to local advice and follow instructions from guides, hoteliers, and local authorities.
• Avoid risky water activities. Don’t swim or wade into rivers or lakes, especially during or after rain. Even remain at distant from banks of the rivers and streams.
• Life jackets are mandatory for boating.
• Avoid  taking risky selfies, photography or videography.
• Respect wildlife and environment. Keep distance from wild animals. Don’t litter; carry your trash with you.
• Be cautious on roads. Roads are narrow and winding—avoid night travel. Avoid high speed driving and take special care while steep descending and climb.
• Ensure vehicles are 4×4 and in good condition for remote mountain travel.
• Stay hydrated and eat light. Travelling to higher altitude like Khunjerab Pass may cause nausea or fatigue—drink plenty of water and eat easily digestible food.
• Know emergency contacts and note down local police, hospital, and rescue services.
• Keep your ID, emergency contact info, and insurance papers, if any, handy.
• Download offline maps. Phone signals can be weak—apps like Maps.me or Google Maps offline can help.
• Watch for altitude sickness. Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea. Rest, hydrate, and descend if symptoms persist.
• Avoid overcrowded spots. Overcrowding near rivers, viewpoints, or roads can be dangerous, especially during holiday
• By staying informed and cautious, tourists can safely enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Pakistan’s mountains while minimizing risks.

It is worth mentioning that special arrangements have been made to facilitate the tourists by the provincial governments of KP, Punjab and AJK Region. Tourism Departments, Tourism Police and Tourist Information/Facilitation Centers have been established to facilitate and guide the tourists. There are help lines as well. Tourists can benefit from their services and can make their trip more enjoyable and safer. However, tourists have to follow the directions and advice of the concerned authorities about travelling.

In short, adoption of some simple safety measures by the tourists themselves can provide safer environment and we can avoid accidents and ensure our travel is memorable. It will help promote tourism and improve the image of the most scenic destinations in mountain regions of Pakistan.

Writer is former President of Alpine Club of Pakistan