BERLIN: The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) stressed that sustainability was high on the agenda, leading efforts to ensure the sector lives up to its responsibilities for the planet as well as people, at ITB Berlin, a global tourism fair. As the United Nations specialized agency leads the restart of global tourism following the unprecedented crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, three virtual events brought together voices from across the sector at the leading trade fair. Against a backdrop of ongoing uncertainty, UNWTO outlined a positive narrative for tourism, stressing its historic ability to lead from the front and adapt to…
Author: holidayweekly
LONDON: Heathrow Airport Holdings said its monthly passenger numbers for February fell below 500,000, the lowest since 1966, as a result of strict travel restrictions amid the pandemic. It said in a statement the collapse in numbers was “due to the ban on all but essential travel, blanket quarantine, pre-departure and post-arrival testing.” Limits on passenger flights, which normally carry freight, also meant cargo volumes remained nearly 30% down on an annual basis. The company pointed out that its EU rivals including Frankfurt, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Schiphol airports returned to pre-pandemic cargo tonnage levels. “We are working with…
KARACHI: TravelinPK, a tourism consultancy, and facilitation company launched here in Karachi with a bang among a large number of members of the travel fraternity, friends, and media. A partnership of nine people who have been working together for over a year as FPCCI’s Central Committee of Tourism Development under Convener Shanaz Ramzi, the office bearers of the organization are president – Shanaz Ramzi; SVP – Syed Baqar Mahdi, and VPS — Zubair Baweja and Nasira Faiz. The other partners are Anadil Khan, Almas Tariq, Amena Khan, Rabeea Minai, and Fareeda Nishtar. Friends of TravelinPK who are working closely with…
ISLAMABAD: The second edition of HUM Women Leaders Award successfully concluded on 9th March at the Aiwan-e-Sadar celebrating eleven national and international women icons and as per HUM tradition, one dynamic man for their contributions and achievements in the fields of diplomacy, social work, education, healthcare, human rights, journalism and women’s rights. The awards ceremony was graced by the chief guest, President of Pakistan, His Excellency Dr. Arif Alvi, dignitaries and crème de la crème of the entertainment industry of Pakistan. After the national anthem the event kicked-off with a poetic recitation by Yousuf Bashir. Hareem Farooq and Sanam Saeed,…
ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotels hosted a Women’s Day Breakfast and Crafts Bazaar to acknowledge the trailblazing women of society and to provide support and representation to women social enterprises. The wife of the President of Pakistan Mrs. Samina Arif Alvi was the Chief Guest at the occasion which was attended by prominent women leaders from politics, sports, healthcare, and charities as well as other segments of society including journalists and members of the Diplomatic corps and their spouses. An exhibition of social enterprises for women empowerment as well as organizations working to support persons with disabilities and social justice was set…
MADRID: One in three destinations worldwide is now completely closed to international tourism. According to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the emergence of new variants of the COVID-19 virus has prompted many governments to reverse efforts to ease restrictions on travel, with total closures to tourists most prevalent in Asia and the Pacific and Europe. The UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report provides a comprehensive overview of the regulations in place in 217 destinations worldwide. While previous editions had shown a movement towards easing or lifting restrictions on travel, the latest report shows that the persistent seriousness of…
MANAMA: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is partnering with Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, to trial IATA Travel Pass – a mobile app to help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for COVID-19 testing or vaccine information. Gulf Air joins a growing number of carriers to participate in a trial of the IATA Travel Pass to help pave the way for the re-establishment of global connectivity while managing the risks of COVID-19. Gulf Air passengers will be able to create a ‘digital passport’ allowing them to match…
LAHORE: Renowned hotelier with thirty-five years of industry experience, Mr. Qasim Jafri, has taken charge of Avari Hotel Lahore, Avari Xpress Gulberg, and Avari Xpress Faisalabad as the Cluster General Manager. A Cornell University Alumni who speaks five languages, Mr. Jafri also attended hotel schools in Europe and Asia. He is a seasoned professional who has worked with known hotel chains in Europe, Middle East, Canada, and Pakistan, namely; Hilton International, Marriot International, Pearl Continental, and Avari Hotels International. He was General Manager of various 5-star hotels around the world and also Director Hospitality Division of Orient Group, CEO Imperium…
BANGKOK: Ms. Surayyal Hizmi, Lecturer Advisor of the PATA Lombok Tourism Polytechnic Student Chapter, is today named as the 2021 PATA Face of the Future. This is the most prestigious honor open to young tourism professionals in the Asia Pacific region. PATA Face of the Future is the most prestigious honor open to young tourism professionals in the Asia Pacific region “This year we received a fantastic list of applicants who could all be worthy of this recognition, and it makes me hopeful not just for the future of the industry but for the future of the world,” said PATA…
ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways has reported an operating loss of US$1.7 billion for fiscal 2020, accelerating the losses of US $0.8 billion seen last year. The Abu Dhabi flag-carrier blamed the Covid-19 for its deteriorating fortunes. The airline saw a 76 per cent fall in passengers carried throughout the year, down to 4.2 million from 17.5 million in 2019. This was a result of lower demand and reduced flight capacity caused by the unparalleled global downturn in commercial aviation, the carrier said. Total passenger capacity was reduced by 64 per cent in 2020 to 37.5 billion available seat kilometres, down…