ABU DHABI: The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has started implementing the Value Added Tax (VAT) Refunds for Business Visitors procedure, noting that a dedicated form for refunding VAT to business visitors has been made available through its website. The authority announced that it is now receiving applications to refund VAT incurred by business visitors to the UAE in 2018. The FTA explained that the VAT Refunds for Business Visitors procedure calls for refunding taxes to business visitors who have no place of establishment in the UAE or another GCC implementing state; who are not registered or are not a…
Author: holidayweekly
LONDON: The World Travel & Tourism Council has announced the formation of a global taskforce to help prevent and combat human trafficking – an illicit activity that affects 30 million victims worldwide, and relies on travel networks to operate. The taskforce comprises WTTC members and sector associations to become the first global industry-wide initiative to assert zero tolerance and share best practice. As an ‘industry’, human trafficking is worth $150 billion annually, and contributes heavily to modern slavery, in which 40 million people worldwide are entrapped. One-quarter of trafficking victims worldwide are children (or 5.5 million). Meanwhile, 19 per cent…
RIYADH: Saudi low-cost carrier flynas recently took delivery of its second Airbus A320neo aircraft, part of the 120 new planes purchased through an $8.5 billion deal with Airbus. This deal is the second-largest aircraft purchase deal in the Middle East and is a game changer for the air-travel industry in the kingdom and the entire region. It also marks a strategic milestone for flynas, which is set to receive four more aircraft before the end of 2019. Bander Al-Mohanna, flynas’ chief executive officer, said the deal would allow flynas to travel for longer distances and reach new destinations with the…
ISLAMABAD: While speaking at the concluding session of Pakistan Tourism Summit on Wednesday, April 3, Mr. Fawad Chaudhry, Federal information minister praised and appreciated the Prime Minister Imran Khan for introducing tourism-friendly policies and said that he is the first “pro-tourism” leader in the history of Pakistan. The event was organized by Landmark communications, the organizer of first of its kind ‘Pakistan travel Mart’. While speaking on the occasion Fawad said, “Pakistan is a beautiful country which is misunderstood in many parts of the world and the reason is that irregular conflict we faced for three decades”. “Pakistan has done…
HONGKONG: Business tycoon and Hong Kong’s richest man, Mr. Li Ka-shing is opening a multi-million-dollar Buddhist art museum at a monastery in the territory. Li has a long and rich history of philanthropy, having contributed millions to universities and hospitals in East Asia and North America. He also pledged support for rescue efforts after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the Sichuan earthquake of 2008. Now the 90-year-old, whose wealth Forbes estimates at $33.4bn, has turned his attention to the arts by opening the museum at the Tsz Shan Monastery. The museum, which cost around HK$3 billion ($382 million) according…
KARACHI: Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Provincial Minister of Sindh for Education, Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, who is also Chairman Board of Directors of Sindh Tourism Development Corporation, has given the charge of Managing Director Sindh tourism Development Corporation to Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Shaikh, the senior bureaucrat with very in-depth knowledge of Sindh tourism. The staff of STDC very warmly greeted Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Shaikh when he reached the office to formally take the charge. While taking to holiday weekly General Manager Daudpota said that when Pakistan tourism is in full focus and being discussed on all platforms this is good…
BRUSSELS: Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari inaugurated Tourist Information Corner for Pakistan in Brussels on Tuesday, 2 April. The Corner has been set up by the Embassy of Pakistan at Brussels in collaboration with Tribes Inspiring Work Places. Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels is the first embassy of Pakistan abroad to take initiative for promoting Pakistan’s tourist potential. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shireen Mazari said the government is committed to promote sustainable tourism in strengthening economy and providing employment to youth. She informed that implementation of liberal visa policy and abolition of restrictions to visit northern areas…
BRUSSELS: European Union lawmakers say British citizens should be allowed to travel in Europe visa-free after Brexit but only if the UK grants the same right to EU citizens, as the bloc prepares for Britain’s possible departure without a deal. The EU’s Civil Liberties Committee voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday – 38 votes in favour, 8 against and 3 abstentions – to allow tourism or business trips. The move permits stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but does not grant the right to work. The full parliament is likely to endorse the decision on Thursday. EU officials…
SEVILLE: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced the 2019 leaders in sustainable tourism at the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards ceremony. The Awards, now in their 15th year, took place at a special ceremony during the WTTC Global Summit in Seville, Spain, to celebrate inspirational, world-changing tourism initiatives from around the globe. Full list of Winners and Finalists: Climate Action Award, for organisations undertaking significant and measurable work to reduce the scale and impact of climate change: WINNER: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba Investing in People Award, for organisations demonstrating leadership in becoming an exciting, attractive, and equitable…
SEVILLE: On April 3, the World Travel and Tourism Council Summit 2019 opened in Seville, Spain. A line up of top tourism leaders in the private industry together with political tourism leaders were met in the next two days at the event UNWTO Secretary-General today called the summit the most important days in the world of tourism. The Travel & Tourism industry has been redefined by changemakers according to the theme of the event. Gloria Guevara, CEO of WTTC pointed out the growth of the travel and tourism industry, 1.4 billion international arrivals, 4,4 billion people flying and 7 billion…