Author: holidayweekly

KARACHI: On a crisp winter morning on Saturday, 20th December 2025, the historic platforms of Karachi Cantt. Railway Station came alive with anticipation, color, and quiet pride as the whistle at 9:00 a.m. signaled the departure of the 4th edition of the Thar Desert Train Safari. Operated by the Culture and Tourism Department, Government of Sindh, the safari once again reaffirmed its status as a flagship initiative for promoting Sindh’s rich cultural, historical, and tourism potential, particularly of the Thar region. The train safari was formally inaugurated by Mr. Khair Muhammad, Secretary Culture and Tourism, Government of Sindh, alongside Mr.…

KARACHI: Pakistan’s tourism sector is increasingly drawing international attention, with USA Today, one of America’s leading media outlets, describing the country as a rising tourism frontier in South Asia, backed by exceptional natural diversity, deep-rooted civilization heritage, and steadily improving infrastructure. According to the USA Today report, Pakistan is moving into the global tourism spotlight by combining dramatic landscapes, cultural depth, and new development initiatives that position it as one of the region’s most promising destinations for growth and investment. While the sector remained underdeveloped for decades, momentum is now building, and global investors are beginning to take notice of…

RIYADH: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) is forecasting that international visitor spending will break all previous records this year, reaching an unprecedented $2.1TN – $164BN more than the 2019 peak. The sector’s total global economic contribution is set to reach $11.7TN this year, 10.3% of global GDP, while jobs supported by the sector are expected to rise by 14MN, reaching 371MN worldwide, more than the entire population of the U.S. But while the sector is surging overall, momentum in some major economies is slowing. According to the research, the U.S., still the world’s largest Travel & Tourism market,…

KARACHI: The Balochistan Council on Foreign Relations (BCFR), in collaboration with the People’s Republic of China, successfully hosted a critical one-day seminar today on “The Role of Balochistan in China-Pakistan Friendship and Cooperation.” The event was held at the Consulate General of China in Karachi.​The seminar’s opening statement was delivered by His Excellency Yang Yungdong, the Chinese Consul General in Karachi, who emphasized the indispensable role of Balochistan in strengthening the China-Pakistan Strategic Cooperative Partnership and committed to fostering shared prosperity. The program was efficiently run by the BCFR leadership and its executive team, Madam Sarah Bano and Madam Zoufishan…

By Lt Gen (R) Sardar Hasan Azhar Hayat- MD Green Tourism Pvt. LtdWorking on family history I was referred by a cousin to visit a local historian Raja Noor Nizami in village Bohi Gar, District Attock. On contacting he was very forthcoming and we set time to meet. The village is an interesting place sandwiched between Districts of Attock, Rawalpindi and Haripur, as calls it Hazara – Potohar a word which I have heard for first time, and so apt. We went through all districts to reach Bohi which is in foothill of small hill locally called Gar in local…

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is on track to rank among the world’s top 10 tourist destinations, according to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb. Speaking at a press conference, Al-Khateeb highlighted that the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh focused on digital transformation in tourism, with member states committed to advancing initiatives, particularly in artificial intelligence. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and Shaikha Al-Nowais, newly elected secretary-general of the organization, were also present. Al-Nowais becomes the first woman and the youngest person to lead the global tourism body in its 50-year history. Al-Khateeb described the Riyadh Declaration as a roadmap for…

LONDON: The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced plans to close its UK headquarters and relocate to mainland Europe. A primary reason for the move is Brexit, with benefits including lower operational costs, EU single market access and recruitment flexibility. Manfredi Lefebvre, WTTC Chairman, confirmed Brexit as a main factor, with potential new locations including Switzerland, Italy and Spain. This decision follows a trend of other major institutions and companies, such as Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Panasonic, moving operations out of the UK due to Brexit. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has previously calculated that…

LAHORE: In a bid to give tourism a shot in the arm, the Punjab government has decided to establish the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority under a new law aimed at promoting tourism and preserving the province’s cultural legacy. According to details, the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority Act 2025 will soon be presented in the Punjab Assembly. Under the proposed law, the Chief Minister will serve as the Chairperson of the Authority, while the Tourism Minister will act as Vice Chairperson. The Secretaries of Tourism, Finance, and Planning & Development departments will be part of the Authority’s core members.…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) marked a major milestone on Saturday as it resumed direct flights to the United Kingdom after a five-year suspension. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the national flag carrier into a profitable and reliable organization. Speaking at a ceremony held at Islamabad International Airport, Asif said the suspension of UK operations had caused substantial financial losses but expressed confidence that the airline had now regained its global credibility and operational standards. “We have successfully reinstated the quality and credibility of our national airline,” he remarked. Britain lifted the five-year ban in…

ISTANBUL: Hitit hosted Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) CEO Mr. Muhammad Amir Hayat and CIO Mr. Muhammad Saqlain Gardezi at its headquarters in Istanbul. The PIA delegation was welcomed by Hitit’s Chairwoman of the Board Ms. Nur Gökman and CEO Ms. Nevra Onursal Karaagac, along with senior Hitit executives and Crane Crew product managers. Senior representatives from Hitit’s Pakistan office, Mr. Sohail Sajid and Ms. Gamze Başar, also joined the meeting. Following the recent launch of the Crane Crew project, the visit underscored the strong partnership and shared vision between the two companies. PIA began its collaboration with Hitit in 2018,…