Author: holidayweekly

KARACHI: Pakistan Railways has reported an unprecedented surge in revenue, achieving a historic benchmark in its financial performance, ARY News reported. According to Pakistan Railways CEO Aamir Ali Baloch, the state-owned enterprise generated Rs 33 billion in revenue over the past five months, reflecting a 14 percent (pc) year-on-year growth compared to the Rs 29 billion recorded during the same period last year. This represents an incremental revenue gain of over Rs 4 billion, underscoring enhanced operational efficiency and strategic revenue optimization. In addition, the CEO highlighted encouraging prospects for the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, indicating that groundwork is expected…

GRINE: The 4th ECO Experts Group Meeting on Ecotourism, hosted by the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot State was held in Girne city on 25 November 2024 in hybrid mode. The event brought together leading experts from ECO members states to discuss strategies for promoting sustainable and ecofriendly tourism and preserving natural and cultural heritage. Delegates from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Türkiye and Turkmenistan, as well as Turkish Cypriot State attended the meeting. Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of PTDC represented Pakistan in this meeting. Discussions at the meeting focused on nature tourism best practices in…

RAWALPINDI: ( Report By Kiran Aslam) The Belgian Business Contact Day and Catalogue Exhibition, organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), served as a pivotal platform for enhancing economic collaboration between Pakistan and Belgium. The event was inaugurated by H.E. Charles-Idesbald Van Der Gracht De Rommerswael, Ambassador of Belgium, alongside key dignitaries including Mr. Laurent De Greef (First Secretary Political), Mr. Gilles Hachez (First Secretary Consular), Trade Commissioner Abid Hussain, RCCI President Usman Shaukat, and other notable officials. In his address, Ambassador Van Der Gracht De Rommerswael underscored Belgium’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan across sectors…

LONDON: The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has said he is “happy to look into” the possibility of a tourist tax in London’s hotels. It follows cross-party calls earlier this week for a small charge on visitors to the capital. The mayor said his team would be examining the evidence from Manchester, where similar charges have been introduced, as well as other European cities. UKHospitality, a trade body representing the sector, said additional taxes would be “extremely damaging”. Existing levies vary depending on the city and quality of accommodation. Visitors to Barcelona, staying in a four-star hotel for example, pay…

WELLINGTON: New Zealand is exploring the idea of charging both domestic and international tourists to visit national parks and public lands, home to many of the country’s iconic scenic spots. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced on Friday in Wellington that the government is inviting feedback on several proposals aimed at modernizing the management of these areas. The consultation covers ways to regulate and enhance commercial tourism access and other business activities, along with measures to better protect natural sites. “We’re also seeking input on a proposal to introduce access fees for certain public conservation areas,” Potaka said, noting that such…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is considering a government-to-government (G2G) sale of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after a failed attempt to privatize the struggling national flag carrier. This decision comes after the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP), led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, rejected a PKR 10 billion bid from Blue World City, which was significantly below the minimum price of PKR 85.03 billion, according to an official source. The rejected bid, which sought a 60% stake in PIA, has prompted the government to explore alternative strategies, including direct G2G arrangements with nations such as Qatar, China, and Gulf…

KARACHI: We are thrilled to introduce Ms. Kiran Aslam as the Bureau Chief of Islamabad and Northern Areas for Holiday Weekly! Kiran is an inspiring travel enthusiast, the CEO & Founder of VagaTales, a successful travel company creating unforgettable journeys for over seven years. A lifetime member of the Asian Business Forum, she brings exceptional expertise and a fervent passion for tourism to this new role. With 12+ years of experience in Finance, HR, and diverse industries, Kiran’s love for travel began with a solo European adventure. From the majestic fjords of Norway to Pakistan’s stunning northern regions, she has…

LAHORE: In a landmark initiative aimed at improving accessibility for tourists, the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) to establish a streamlined and innovative route to the Shahdara Historical Complex. This new partnership will ease the flow of tourists by reducing rotation times and providing multiple, convenient access points from various parts of the city. The Shahdara Historical Complex, an iconic site housing heritage landmarks such as the tombs of Emperor Jahangir and Empress Nur Jahan, is a key destination for history enthusiasts and international visitors.…

HANOI: Starting November 11, 2024, Vietnam’s upgraded e-Visa portal will streamline travel for international visitors. The new platform offers a simplified application process, expanded stay options, and convenient access through 42 entry points, supporting Vietnam’s booming tourism industry. Great news for travellers! Vietnam is making it even easier to visit with the launch of a brand new, user-friendly and optimized electronic visa (e-Visa) portal on November 11th, 2024. This updated platform aims to streamline the application process, offering a more user-friendly experience with enhanced features for applicants worldwide. An e-Visa, or electronic visa, is a convenient way to obtain permission…

LONDON: Pakistan took center stage at the World Travel Mart (WTM) 2024, which commenced on November 6 at Excel London, showcasing its diverse tourism potential. The Pakistan Pavilion was inaugurated by Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Culture, Tourism, Antiquities, and Archives from the Sindh Government, alongside Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Muhammad Faisal, and Syed Fayez Ali Shah, Managing Director of the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC). Joining them were prominent participants such as Khawaja Jahanzeb, CEO of Zeb Travels, senior representatives from tour operators, hotels, airlines, and tourism officials from across Pakistan. Syed Zulfiqar Ali…