ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated a new project to promote Pakistan’s tourist attractions across the world and provide authentic information about them to foreign travelers interested in visiting the country, the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.

Named “Salam Pakistan,” the tourism brand will focus on building the country’s image as a safe, secure, friendly, and hospitable place with attractive tourism destinations, including scenic mountains, lakes, and sites of deep cultural, religious, and historical significance.

The project will also highlight different food varieties, accommodation, travel modes, and infrastructure facilities offered by the South Asian state to tourists.

“Allah Almighty has blessed our country with great natural resources of scenic beauty all over the northern areas, which can be converted into a great opportunity,” the prime minister said while addressing the inauguration ceremony.

A newly launched e-portal to facilitate tourists contains information on top 20 tourist destinations in the country, including K2, Gwadar, Ziarat Valley, Uch Sharif, Deosai National Park, Kalash Valley, Takht Bhai, Hingol National Park, Shandur Pass, Kambhar Lake, Fairy Meadows, Ratti Gali, Lahore Fort, Makli Graveyard, Derawar Fort, Rohtas Fort, Kumrat Valley, Hunza Valley, and Mohenjo-Daro.

“[The e-portal] guides tourists about the beaches and waterfalls, nature and landscape, festivals, spiritual tourism, and eco-tourism,” the APP said.

According to the Pakistan Tourism Department Corporation (PTDC), the country’s tourism industry generated $2.5 billion of revenue in 2022 and the figure was expected to go up to $4 billion in the next four years.