Author: holidayweekly

KARACHI: Etihad Airways hosted an elegant luncheon last week at the Marriott Hotel Karachi to honour its valued travel trade partners, reaffirming the airline’s strong engagement with Pakistan’s travel and tourism fraternity. The prestigious gathering was hosted by Mr. Ahmed Zahoor, General Manager – Pakistan, Etihad Airways, and was attended by a distinguished group of senior industry leaders from across the city. Adding significant prestige to the occasion was the presence of Etihad Airways’ senior management, who flew in from Abu Dhabi to interact with partners and share insights into the airline’s ambitious future expansion plans. The visiting delegation included…

ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways and Tunisair on Friday signed a codeshare agreement strengthening air links between North Africa and Abu Dhabi and supporting growing demand for travel, tourism, and business between the two regions. Starting on Friday (Jan 16), travellers can book flights between Abu Dhabi and Tunis under either airline’s code on Etihad-operated services. The partnership creates a streamlined booking experience with a single ticket, one check-in, and bags transferred automatically to final destinations. The agreement covers Etihad’s three weekly flights on the Abu Dhabi–Tunis route, which launched 1 November 2025. Flights operate using Etihad’s Airbus A321LR, featuring the…

ISLAMABAD: PIA passengers travelling to London and Manchester will now be able to connect to more than 50 destinations across the UK by train, following a new partnership between Pakistan International Airlines and AccesRail. The airline has introduced an “air-to-rail” arrangement with rail networks in the UK and Canada, allowing travelers to purchase train tickets at the same time as their flight booking. The move is aimed at making onward travel simpler by removing the need to arrange rail journeys separately. Under the new setup, passengers can add rail segments to their itinerary through PIA booking offices, registered travel agents,…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the resumption of its direct flight operations between Lahore and London, marking a significant milestone in the gradual restoration of its United Kingdom network after a prolonged suspension. According to a PIA spokesperson, the first flight, PK-757, will depart from Lahore for London on March 30. All flights on this route will operate to Heathrow Airport, landing at Terminal 4. The revival of the Lahore–London route comes after a six-year hiatus, during which PIA’s operations to the UK remained largely suspended. London was among the earliest international destinations served by the national carrier,…

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…