An Exploratory Study of the Factors that Promote and Delay Sustainable EcoTourism Development in Mansehra

Abstract

Geographically Mansehra district is situated on Karakoram Highway that links to ancient Taxila, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, China, and Central Asia. It is the central point for visitors, transportation, exchange, and business in the northern zone. This vicinity is constantly cherished by visitors for its rich potential of tourism attractions with delightful nature, magnificent valleys, and high altitude mountains for adventures and nature lovers. However, this research seeks to make contributions to the present literature of heritage management and tourism development through exploring the rich tourism potential in Mansehra. Exploratory in nature, the study adopts a qualitative technique combining primary and secondary data analysis and scholars observation. The findings reveal that Mansehra has no longer yet been scientifically explored and developed as a tourism destination. The general problems that preclude the development of tourism activities in Mansehra are lack of awareness, basic tourism infrastructure, scientifically exploration and documentation, developmental plan, waste management, conservation, and poor management of cultural and natural sites.