Syed I. R. Kazimi The passing away of Mrs. Shireen S. Walji is a sad event in Pakistan’s tourism industry. In the heydays of Pakistan Tourism, she was a power to reckon with. She did excellent business in Inbound Tourism and held sway at the federal Ministry of Tourism. She was for seven years the Chairperson of Islamabad Skal Club and Vice President of Asia Skal Club. She was Chairperson of PATA Pakistan Chapter from 1984 to 1986 and, at the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Bangkok, she made a formidable niche for herself, being member of its several Councils and…
Author: holidayweekly
KARACHI: Virgin Atlantic has announced on Thursday, September 17 that flights from Pakistan to London Heathrow and Manchester are on sale now with return Economy fares starting from PKR 103,600/- per person, Premium from PKR 154,500/-and Upper Class from PKR 353,100/-. Flying three new routes from Lahore to London Heathrow, Islamabad to London Heathrow, as well as from Islamabad to Manchester, subject to applicable regulatory approvals; these new services will operate on one of Virgin Atlantic’s newest, most fuel-efficient aircraft, the 787-9 boasting 31 Upper Class suites, 35 Premium and 192 Economy seats. These new services will open up over…
SINGAPORE: From December, all Singaporeans aged 18 and above will receive S$100 (US$74) worth of SingapoRediscovers vouchers, which can be used on staycations, attraction tickets and tours. The vouchers will be provided in denominations of S$10 via the SingPass government portal, and will be valid for seven months between this December through end-June next year, reported Channel NewsAsia. SingapoRediscovers vouchers can be utilised on local hotel stays, tickets to attractions and tours; a domestic tourist snapping a photo of the floral display at the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay pictured A S$10 subsidy will also be provided for…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb today, September 16, announced that the establishment of the UNWTO Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh has been approved by UNWTO Executive Council members. The announcement was made in a statement at the 112th session of the UNWTO Executive Council, hosted in Georgia, Tbilisi. The new UNWTO Regional Office will serve as a hub for the UNWTO to 13 countries in the Middle East. The office will focus on building long-term growth for the sector and human capital development in the travel and tourism sector in the region. The office…
MONTREAL: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has the Canadian government to support the Covid-19 testing initiatives of Air Canada and Westjet as a means to safely reopen Canada to international and domestic travel without the need for blanket quarantine measures. International traffic to Canada has plummeted since quarantine measures were introduced in March 2020. “There are alternatives to the quarantine measures currently in place that can both keep Canadians safe as well as revive the economy. The ICAO multi-layered approach (Take-off guidance) is one. The work that Air Canada and WestJet are doing on testing adds another dimension,” said…
MUSCAT: Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, is ensuring the safety of its guests and crew with a comprehensive program which includes the use of high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filters on all aircraft. The airline said in a statement on Sunday, “These filters, which meet exacting standards and are used in hospitals throughout the world, capture 99.97 per cent of bacteria, viruses and impurities as aircraft cabin air is fully refreshed every 2 to 3 minutes. The filtration system brings in fresh outside air as it cleans and discharges air in the cabins.” Oman Air’s certified…
LONDON: British Airways is to fly from London to Lahore four times a week from 12 October, beating Virgin Atlantic which plans to start flying to the eastern Pakistan city in December. Virgin Atlantic will also serve Lahore from Heathrow and the Pakistan capital Islamabad from both Heathrow and Manchester. BA already flies from London to Islamabad. Its Director of Network and Alliances Neil Chernoff said: “We are delighted be starting direct flights to Lahore, connecting London with Pakistan’s two biggest cities, following the relaunch of our services to Islamabad. “Our new flights will give us the opportunity to open…
MANAMA: Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Krešimir Kučko will step down from his role by the end of the month, a statement from the airline said. Commenting on this development, Gulf Air Board of Directors Chairman Zayed R. Alzayani said: “We extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Krešimir Kučko for his dedication, contributions and services during his tenure with us. On behalf of Gulf Air’s Board of Directors, the airline’s management team and workforce I extend my thanks to him for his contributions and wish him success going forward.” Kučko said: “I was truly honoured to have contributed to the…
KARACHI: It is with an extremely heavy heart and deep regret that we inform our readers and friends in travel and tourism industry about the passing of Legendary Ms. Shirin Walji in Islamabad. Ms. Waljis has been a prominent tourism personality of Pakistan and a travel tourism Pioneer. She rendered unparallel and matchless services for travel and tourism sector of Pakistan. Shirin Walji, Chairperson, Travel Walji’s (Pvt) Ltd., remained involved in tourism for her whole active life. She was a pioneering force, a frontline true torch bearer in developing tourism in Pakistan. Along with her late husband, the areas of…
PESHAWAR: The two-day Broghil Festival concluded with much funfair and traditional sports and cultural activities at the Broghil National Park in Upper Chitral district. [huge_it_slider id=”573″] A large number of foreign and domestic tourists enjoyed the traditional games, music and foods at the colourful event. Various activities, including horse and yak polo, cricket, football, Buzkashi, marathon race, tug-of-war, wrestling, music and other traditional games were part of the festival. The Tourism Department and the Upper Chitral district administration had jointly organised the event. Commissioner Hazara division Zaheerul Islam was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony. Officials of the Tourism…