This year the world is celebrating World Tourism Day at a time when the travel and tourism industry is passing through a very crucial phase due to the ongoing global Covid-19 crisis. According to the latest reports of UNWTO, international tourist arrivals has already dropped by 65% during the first half of the year showing the severe impact COVID-19 on the sector. Over the recent weeks, a growing number of destinations have started to open up again to international tourists. UNWTO reports that, as of early September, 53% of destinations had eased travel restrictions. Nevertheless, many governments remain cautious, and…
Author: holidayweekly
It was at its third session held at Torremolinos, Spain in September 1979 that the UNWTO General Assembly decided to institute World Tourism Day, commencing in the year 1980. This date was chosen to coincide with an important milestone in world tourism, the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on 27 September 1970. The timing of World Tourism Day is particularly appropriate in that it comes at the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the southern hemisphere. But unfortunately, this year, in the presence of tourism enemy Covid-19,…
Thank you, Holiday Weekly for this opportunity to air my views. I feel that in Pakistan the potential for tourism and rural development go hand-in-hand. Much has been said over the years, and particularly since Covid-19 of the vast natural beauty that Pakistan has to offer, right from its mountainous northern areas down to its coastline in the south. But, the one thing rarely discussed, and which we need to concentrate on now, more than ever, both from the government standpoint, and from that of the private sector, and indeed the individual tourists visiting our pristine rural areas, is responsible…
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday, September 23, introduced a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) for its employees in order to curtail the expenses. Mr. Arshad Malik, CEO PIA said that no airline in the world can survive with 14,500 employees and a deficit of Rs400 billion as well as liabilities of more than Rs100 billion. The committee was also briefed about the current aircraft-to-employee ratio as a comparison between various international airlines and the PIA. The panel was told that Qatar Airlines owned 240 passenger planes and employed 32,000 people with an aircraft-to-employee ratio of 133; Emirates 269…
KARACHI: To promote Gwadar as a next travel destination from Karachi, Destinations of the World-Pakistan (DOTW) and Aircraft Sales & Services Pvt. Limited (ASSL) have collaborated to offer attractive travel packages for both leisure and business travellers to the city of blue waters, Gwadar. [huge_it_slider id=”577″] Hashoo Group is the leading chain of hotels of Pakistan and are the owners and operators of Pearl-Continental Hotels, Marriott Hotels and the Hotel One in the country. Whereas ASSL is the first and most experienced company with over 50,000 hours of flying and company have the license to start Air Charter and Tourism…
MUSCAT: The national carrier of the Sultanate, Oman Air, is now operating six flights per week connecting Muscat with Duqm. Oman Air said in a press release, “Flights to the fast-growing hub of trade and investment will depart and arrive in both cities on every day of the week with the exception of Fridays.” “These flights, which were restored on 20 September, are a significant step forward in the nation’s economic development and a reflection of the airline’s commitment to serving the Sultanate. This step supports the development of this increasingly important city. As a Special Economic Zone, Duqm plays…
KARACHI: To redefine the modern travel experience by opening a brand-new hotel near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Hashoo Group has collaborated with Ghani Builders & Developers (Pvt) Ltd. The purpose built 100-room contemporary hotel to feature dining outlets, event spaces right next to Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. Hashoo Group is the leading and largest chain of hotels in Pakistan, whereas Ghani Builders & Developers (Pvt) Ltd, one of the most trusted names in real estate development and construction. For this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two companies on Thursday, 17th September 2020. The MoU was…
ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotels and Rawalpindi Golf Club (RGC) hosted the Annual Invitational Golf Tournament at Rawalpindi Golf Club on Sunday as part of its Sports Diplomacy initiative, marking the welcome resumption of events after a long hiatus due to lockdown. Chief of Logistics Staff (CLS) Lt. Gen. Azhar Saleh Abbasi graced the event as Chief Guest. The tournament drew more than 80 golf enthusiasts from the military high command, diplomatic corps, foreign dignitaries, corporate and business sectors which included women golfers. CEO Serena Hotels South and Central Asia Mr. Aziz Boolani said that this was the first event to be…
MUSCAT: Oman Air’s plans to return to scheduled service from October 1 includes two flights per week connecting Muscat and London, Frankfurt, and Istanbul. The airline plans to resume services to 17 cities in 12 countries. Flights to and from London will depart on Sundays and Wednesday. Flights to and from Frankfurt will depart on Mondays and Saturdays. Flights to Istanbul will depart from Muscat on Wednesdays and Sundays, with return flights on Mondays and Thursdays. These schedules are valid from October 1 to October 24, 2020, the airline said. Oman Air will maintain its comprehensive safety programme throughout all…
AGRA: India’s world-renowned monuments Taj Mahal and Agra Fort has been opened to visitors from September 21, according to an order issued by District Administration Agra. [huge_it_slider id=”576″] The order said that other monuments under Archaeological Survey of India such as Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, Itimad Ud Daula, Mehtab Bagh, Rambagh, Chini ka Rauza and Marium Tomb have also opened for visitors. Visiting hours will be sunrise to sunset every day. Taj Mahal will be open 30 minutes before sunrise and will close 30 minutes before sunset. The monument will be closed on Fridays. Agra Fort is open from sunrise to…