NEW DELHI: Indian travel agents are unnerved by a possible five percent tax collection at source (TCS) imposed on travelers purchasing outbound tour packages, saying that it would hurt sales and increase their cost of compliance. The tax proposal is slated to be implemented from April 1, 2020. Indian travel agents fear sales would be affected by the proposed tax on outbound tour packages Vineet Raina, founder, and managing director, Pink Elephant Journeys, told TTG Asia that the move to levy TCS on sales of outbound tour packages would push her customers to book directly with foreign tour operators just…
Author: holidayweekly
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has introduced one-year multiple-entry visit visas for Pakistanis and all other applicants who have a valid UK, US or Schengen visa stamped on their passports, foreign media reported on Sunday. The new multiple-visa will be valid for one year and the visitors will also be allowed to perform Umrah. However, they are not allowed to perform Haj. Visitors can get visas on arrival at any international airport in Saudi Arabia but they must have a credit card to pay fees amounting to Rs18,000 as cash is not accepted. They will be allowed to stay for 90 days…
LONDON: As the current outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to develop, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are committed to working together in guiding the travel and tourism sectors’ response to COVID-19. On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and issued a set of Temporary Recommendations. WHO did not recommend any travel or trade restriction based on the current information available. WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand…
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood says that Pakistan and Kazakhstan have long and fraternal relations and both the countries are committed to promoting tourism, trade, and investment with each other. He made the remarks during the 9th Session of Pakistan-Kazakhstan Inter-governmental Economic Joint Commission in Islamabad. The foreign secretary said Pakistan has taken concrete steps to promote a business-friendly environment and investment avenues for other countries. He said both the countries can benefit from cooperation in the fields of energy, mineral resources, tourism, and agriculture. On this occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Shakhrat Nuryshev said that Kazakhstan wants to benefit from…
KARACHI: The champion will represent Karachi in the World Golf Cup Grand Final of Turkish Airlines, flying to more countries than any other airline, arrived in Karachi at Defence Authority Country & Golf Club for the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup on the16th February. Attendance for the event was high while local high-profile figures and members of the business community were also present. Established in 2013, the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup comprises 100tournaments held around the globe at world-class facilities with over 8,000 players in total competing against one another. The winners of this year’s tournament will qualify for…
ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday, February 25, decided to get a health declaration form from all passengers entering Pakistan, carrying their travel and medical history. Passengers on non-compliance with the submission of health declaration form will not be allowed for immigration. The government in a statement released yesterday said that the decision has been taken following the directives of the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS). It added that all passengers entering Pakistan shall submit a health declaration form carrying brief details of their traveling history. It said that the authority has made a single amendment in the health declaration…
Written by Ch. Faisal Mahmood With the Grace of Almighty Allah, Pakistan’s tourism was moving towards complete revival. There was an influx of high-profile dignitaries who were mesmerized by the beautiful landscape of Pakistan. Last week Her Highness Princess Beatrice, a member of the British royal family, and former prime ministers of Spain and Italy were in Pakistan for a ski trip. Their visit brought Pakistan once again in the international limelight. Good for tourism Pakistan. Her Highness leads a ‘high-level delegation’ on an adventurous heli-skiing trip and by doing this she endorsed Pakistan as the best adventure tourism destination…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will block Muslim pilgrims seeking to reach the holy cities of Mecca and Medina as the country seeks to control the spread of coronavirus. Religious tourism is a large part of the hospitality sector in the kingdom, and the impact is likely to be keenly felt. A statement from the Saudi government said it was “suspending entry to the kingdom for the purpose of umrah”. Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of year. Some eight million Muslims make the journey annually. Many do so during the holy month of Ramadan which…
KARACHI: A low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines from Turkey, is all set to commence its operations next month in Pakistan. The airline will start its flight operations from the commercial capital of Pakistan, Karachi to Turkey’s tourism hub, Istanbul from its first flight starting from March 28 this year. According to reports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a permit to Pegasus Airlines. The new airline will not only facilitate businessmen and overseas Pakistanis but it will also pave the way towards increasing trade and tourism between the two countries in the future. The Turkish low-cost carrier will operate four…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said there was a lot of tourism potential in Pakistan and promotion of that sector would not only strengthen the economy but also create business and job opportunities for numerous local people. The prime minister stated this while chairing a meeting about the promotion of environment-friendly tourism in the country. The meeting deliberated upon the promotion of tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, coastal areas of the country, and protection and renovation of historic buildings in Northern Areas. The prime minister told the meeting to lay down a policy about the promotion of tourism,…