Relationship of Indigenous Adventure Sports and Seasonal Events With Inbound Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan

This study looks into how Gilgit-Baltistan, a region rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage, can attract inbound tourists through indigenous adventure sports and seasonal events. Despite Gilgit-Baltistan's potential as a destination for adventure and cultural tourism, the issue of limited tourism development served as the impetus for the study. The underutilization of regional sporting events, a lack of organized marketing plans, and inadequate tourism infrastructure are the main problems. The study's main goals were to determine the preferences of inbound visitors, assess the influence of indigenous adventure sports and seasonal events on traveler behavior, and suggest ways to boost the region's tourism industry. 201 respondents, including both domestic and foreign tourists, were given structured questionnaires as part of a quantitative research methodology. Regression analysis, correlation, and descriptive statistics were used to examine the data. The results show a strong positive correlation between the attraction of inbound tourists, seasonal events, and indigenous adventure sports. Activities like polo matches, mountaineering, jeep rallies, and cultural festivals piqued the interest of tourists. Furthermore, their travel habits were greatly impacted by elements like cultural distinctiveness, affordability, accessibility to event locations, and travel group preferences.The conclusion underlined that Gilgit-Baltistan has the potential to become a top destination for specialized tourism markets with careful planning. Through public-private partnerships and inclusive tourism policies, the study suggests policy-level support, community engagement, infrastructure development, and increased promotion of underrepresented festivals. These actions can have a major impact on Gilgit-Baltistan's economic growth, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism growth.