GILGIT: First-ever direct flight from Lahore of the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airline (PIA) landed at the Skardu Airport here on Wednesday, April 07. The PK-8453 flight took off from the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday morning with 153 passengers on board and landed at the Skardu Airport after one hour and 15 minutes. The PIA officials received and presented bouquets of flowers to the passengers at the airport. Later, a cake-cutting ceremony was also held to celebrate the occasion. Gilgit-Baltistan tourism minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan said the first PIA flight coming directly from Lahore also received…
Author: holidayweekly
ISTANBUL: Turkish Airlines has resumed their premium onboard dining and hot meal service, on all Business and Economy Class flights longer than two hours 15 minutes flight time. The global carrier offers a premium traveling experience and is world-renown for its cuisine and hospitality. In 2020 Turkish Airlines made some changes to meal services on flights, in line with additional coronavirus-related measures. I flew on Turkish Airlines in February this year and documented their changes onboard. In an interview, the Chairman of Turkish Airlines while speaking about their drastic cost-cutting earlier in February promised to bring back the meals. Turkish…
ISLAMABAD: Mr. Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana, the founder President of Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan and former Director-General of Adventure Foundation Pakistan, has been appointed as the Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) on the honorary basis with immediate effect, as per the official notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan. His appointment was approved in the meeting of the Federal Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 1st April 2021. His appointment as the Managing Director of PTDC will provide an opportunity to improve the coordination among the tourism industry stakeholders and to bridge the gap…
LAHORE: The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) is carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction of various religious and historic sites, including the gurdwaras at Rohri Sahab, Sacha Suda, and Nankana, under the Punjab Tourism for Economic Growth Project (PTEGP). This was informed during a meeting held to review the current progress on religious tourism promotion. Secretary Tourism Ehsan Bhutta presided over the session. Additional Secretary Tourism, Director Auqaf, DS Religious Affairs department, DD ETPB, Director WCLA, Senior Chief Planning & Development Board, Director Archeology, representatives of PTEGP, and other officials concerned were all present on the occasion. The meeting was…
NEW YORK: The empty middle seat on airplanes, one of the few advantages of pandemics, is about to disappear. Delta Air Lines, the last remaining US airline to keep middle seats unbooked, has lifted that prohibition as of May 1, the company announced Wednesday. It is another sign of a rebound in demand for air travel and greater willingness of people to resume pre-pandemic activities. “As vaccinations become more widespread, consumer demand and behaviors show us that confidence in travel is on the rise and customers are ready to reclaim their lives,” said Delta’s statement Wednesday. Airlines have insisted that…
MARYLAND: Marriott International has launched the Marriott Bonvoy ‘The BEST Shinhan Card’, offered exclusively by Visa, enabling cardholders to accelerate the number of Marriott Bonvoy points they earn, which can be redeemed for free nights at the brand’s hotels around the world. Touted as “the first hotel industry credit card in South Korea”, cardholders can earn Marriott Bonvoy points and enjoy member benefits that come with elite status. For an annual fee of 267,000 won (US$236), with Marriott Bonvoy ‘The BEST Shinhan Card’, cardholders enjoy rich earn ratios and become a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite member upon sign-up. Platinum Elite…
MONTREAL: Willie Walsh has officially taken on the role of Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). He succeeds Alexandre de Juniac. The former Chief Executive of International Airlines Group (IAG) said: “I am passionate about our industry and about the critical work that IATA does on behalf of its members, never more so than during the Covid-19 crisis. “IATA has been at the forefront of efforts to restart global connectivity, including developing the IATA Travel Pass. “Less visible but of equal importance, airlines continue to rely on IATA’s financial settlement systems, Timatic, and other vital services to support…
MUSCAT: Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has extended its complimentary Covid-19 coverage until December 31, 2021. The complimentary coverage is for expenses incurred by medical treatment or quarantine related to the pandemic and is applicable to those tickets issued for travel after October 1, 2020, until December 31, 2021. It will also cover Oman ex-pat residents who are required to present medical coverage for their destination and return to Oman if travel is completed within 31 days. As per the directive issued by Oman’s Supreme Committee for Covid-19 safety, Omani and GCC nationals have been…
LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector is the fastest-growing among the 50 most populated countries in the world, reporting 73,057 rooms across the three phases of the hotel pipeline, and projecting a 67.1 percent increase in room supply over the next three years, according to STR’s AM: PM platform. Of the total rooms in the pipeline as of March 11, 16,965 were scheduled to come online over the duration of 2021. The 67.1 percent increase assumes completion of all projects in construction, final planning, and planning. “Saudi Arabia’s growth aspirations, along with the strength of other Middle East hospitality markets such…
BELARUS: Ambassador of Pakistan to Belarus Mr. Sajjad Haider Khan held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Anatoly Markevich, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Belarus. The meeting was also attended by Ms. Viktoria Ratobylskaya, Head of the International Cooperation and Information Management Department of the Ministry. Underscoring the diversity of culture, ethnicity, and religion of Pakistan, which has been a melting pot of civilizations for thousands of years, Ambassador Sajjad highlighted the significance of promoting people-to-people contact for the creation of greater awareness in the general public. The Minister welcomed the initiative, highlighted the importance of cultural collaboration, and…