Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has launched the First Ever National Brand of Pakistan at PM House Islamabad. Prime Minister of Pakistan – Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, was the chief guest of the ceremony. An impressive national tourism brand is an important tool to provide a crucial competitive advantage in the global tourism market. Considering the importance of a National Tourism Brand of Pakistan, “SALAM PAKISTAN” is selected as the Tourism Brand for Pakistan. “SALAM” has different connotations i.e., Salam from Landscapes, Salam from Adventure and sports, Salam from Wildlife, Salam from Religious Sites, Salam from Food & Festivals, and Salam from Arts & Crafts etc.
On the launching ceremony, Awn Chaudhry- Advisor to Prime Minister of Pakistan on Tourism and Sports stated that to promote the soft image of the country worldwide, PTDC has developed a well-coordinated strategic approach for best utilization of the available resources with focus on building the image of Pakistan as one of most tourist friendly countries in Asia. The launching of Tourism Brand for Pakistan is an important step in achieving this goal. The name “SALAM PAKISTAN” is selected as Tourism Brand for Pakistan. “SALAM” represents “Greetings, Welcome, Peace, Respect, Love, Homage, Friendship and Best Wishes”.
Speaking in the inauguration ceremony Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan- Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed that I visualize the tourism industry to become a catalyst for employment generation and poverty alleviation, investment promotion and above all, building the soft image of our country as a peaceful and friendly country at the global level. Our government is focused on improving and creating an enabling business environment for tourism and hospitality sector and also highlighting Pakistan’s true image on the world stage. I assure you that I will do my best to take all those steps which are needed to strengthen the performance of this sector. He congratulated Awn Chaudhry Advisor to Prime Minister on Tourism and Sports and PTDC for their tireless efforts to take the lead and launching “Salam Pakistan” as the National Tourism Brand of Pakistan.
The objectives of Tourism Brand of Pakistan includes building the image & perception of Pakistan as a safe, secure, friendly & hospitable nation, promoting Pakistan as an attractive tourist destination, especially for international tourists, projecting recreational, mountaineering, adventure, cultural, religious, historical, cuisine, geographical and other tourism related aspects of Pakistan and highlighting diversities of the provinces, regions, cities etc., variety of food, accommodation, travel, communication and infrastructure facilities etc.