Malam Jabba Closed to Low-Income Tourists?
Concerns are being raised among tourists and the general public after an entry ticket of Rs. 2,300 per person was set for the chairlift and skiing area at Malam Jabba, one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most popular tourist destinations.
According to local sources and journalists, the recreational site has been leased to a private operator, following which fees have been introduced for entry and various activities. During the Eid-ul-Adha holidays, tourists arriving from different parts of the country questioned the ticket price, describing it as beyond the reach of many ordinary families.
Tourists argue that at a naturally beautiful destination like Malam Jabba, a ticket price of Rs. 2,300 per person makes leisure activities unaffordable for average households. They point out that a family of five would have to spend thousands of rupees solely on entry and chairlift tickets, excluding travel, food, and other expenses.
Members of the public say that while the government speaks of promoting tourism, rising fees at tourist attractions are making these destinations less accessible to ordinary citizens. They have called for tourism-related charges to be set at reasonable levels so that people from all income groups can enjoy natural attractions and recreational activities.
Malam Jabba is considered one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most important tourist centers and attracts thousands of domestic and international visitors every year. However, the ongoing debate over the latest fees has once again highlighted concerns regarding the cost of tourism and public access to recreational destinations.