Author: holidayweekly

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has stated that the government in collaboration with the Karachi Chamber is actively working to help shopkeepers restart their businesses and aims to ensure that compensation is provided within two months so that the shopkeepers can buy inventories to restart their businesses. While addressing the inaugural ceremony of 21st My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition on Friday, the Chief Minister informed that several locations have been identified where affected shopkeepers will be facilitated to resume their businesses until the complete reconstruction of Gul Plaza. He clarified that no rent will be…

KARACHI: Building on the resounding success of five Thar Desert Train Safari journeys, the Sindh government on Saturday, January 31, inaugurated the Special Mohenjo-Daro Train Safari, a landmark initiative designed to promote cultural tourism and showcase Sindh’s unparalleled historical heritage. The special tourist train was formally inaugurated by Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives, alongside the Secretary Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives, Mr. Khair Muhammad Kalwar and Syed Fayez Ali Shah, Managing Director of the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC). The minister termed the initiative a major step toward reviving heritage-based tourism and deepening…

KARACHI: Direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed after 14 years as the latter’s national airline’s inaugural flight landed at Jinnah International Airport Karachi on Thursday. The flight, welcomed by officials, was offered a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival at Karachi airport. According to Pakistan’s High Commission in Dhaka, the fully booked flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The inaugural flight was seen off by Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, and other senior officials, the High Commission said. “The resumption of direct flight after a hiatus of 14…

KARACHI: Etihad Airways hosted an elegant luncheon last week at the Marriott Hotel Karachi to honour its valued travel trade partners, reaffirming the airline’s strong engagement with Pakistan’s travel and tourism fraternity. The prestigious gathering was hosted by Mr. Ahmed Zahoor, General Manager – Pakistan, Etihad Airways, and was attended by a distinguished group of senior industry leaders from across the city. Adding significant prestige to the occasion was the presence of Etihad Airways’ senior management, who flew in from Abu Dhabi to interact with partners and share insights into the airline’s ambitious future expansion plans. The visiting delegation included…

ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways and Tunisair on Friday signed a codeshare agreement strengthening air links between North Africa and Abu Dhabi and supporting growing demand for travel, tourism, and business between the two regions. Starting on Friday (Jan 16), travellers can book flights between Abu Dhabi and Tunis under either airline’s code on Etihad-operated services. The partnership creates a streamlined booking experience with a single ticket, one check-in, and bags transferred automatically to final destinations. The agreement covers Etihad’s three weekly flights on the Abu Dhabi–Tunis route, which launched 1 November 2025. Flights operate using Etihad’s Airbus A321LR, featuring the…

ISLAMABAD: PIA passengers travelling to London and Manchester will now be able to connect to more than 50 destinations across the UK by train, following a new partnership between Pakistan International Airlines and AccesRail. The airline has introduced an “air-to-rail” arrangement with rail networks in the UK and Canada, allowing travelers to purchase train tickets at the same time as their flight booking. The move is aimed at making onward travel simpler by removing the need to arrange rail journeys separately. Under the new setup, passengers can add rail segments to their itinerary through PIA booking offices, registered travel agents,…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the resumption of its direct flight operations between Lahore and London, marking a significant milestone in the gradual restoration of its United Kingdom network after a prolonged suspension. According to a PIA spokesperson, the first flight, PK-757, will depart from Lahore for London on March 30. All flights on this route will operate to Heathrow Airport, landing at Terminal 4. The revival of the Lahore–London route comes after a six-year hiatus, during which PIA’s operations to the UK remained largely suspended. London was among the earliest international destinations served by the national carrier,…

KARACHI: On a crisp winter morning on Saturday, 20th December 2025, the historic platforms of Karachi Cantt. Railway Station came alive with anticipation, color, and quiet pride as the whistle at 9:00 a.m. signaled the departure of the 4th edition of the Thar Desert Train Safari. Operated by the Culture and Tourism Department, Government of Sindh, the safari once again reaffirmed its status as a flagship initiative for promoting Sindh’s rich cultural, historical, and tourism potential, particularly of the Thar region. The train safari was formally inaugurated by Mr. Khair Muhammad, Secretary Culture and Tourism, Government of Sindh, alongside Mr.…

KARACHI: Pakistan’s tourism sector is increasingly drawing international attention, with USA Today, one of America’s leading media outlets, describing the country as a rising tourism frontier in South Asia, backed by exceptional natural diversity, deep-rooted civilization heritage, and steadily improving infrastructure. According to the USA Today report, Pakistan is moving into the global tourism spotlight by combining dramatic landscapes, cultural depth, and new development initiatives that position it as one of the region’s most promising destinations for growth and investment. While the sector remained underdeveloped for decades, momentum is now building, and global investors are beginning to take notice of…

RIYADH: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) is forecasting that international visitor spending will break all previous records this year, reaching an unprecedented $2.1TN – $164BN more than the 2019 peak. The sector’s total global economic contribution is set to reach $11.7TN this year, 10.3% of global GDP, while jobs supported by the sector are expected to rise by 14MN, reaching 371MN worldwide, more than the entire population of the U.S. But while the sector is surging overall, momentum in some major economies is slowing. According to the research, the U.S., still the world’s largest Travel & Tourism market,…