PUTRAJAYA: The tourism sector contributed US$20.7 billion to Malaysia’s economy last year, up by 2.4 per cent compared to the previous year, said Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi on Wednesday, Feb 27. The top 10 sources of tourism to the country last year were Singapore,10.6 million visitors, Indonesia 3.28 million, China 2.9 million, Thailand 1.9 million, Brunei 1.38 million, South Korea 616,783, India 600,311, the Philippines 396,062, Japan 394,540 and Taiwan 383,922. Although international tourist arrivals fell slightly from 25.9 million in 2017 to 25.8 million in 2018, the per capita expenditure of tourists rose 2.9 per…
Author: holidayweekly
MOSCOW: Russia’s State Duma (Parliament) introduced a bill that would allow foreigners to stay for two weeks in Russia without an entry visa. The authors of the bill believe that the initiative will allow foreign guests to get acquainted with Russia in more detail. They said that this measure is vital for Russia against the backdrop of its ‘oppression with anti-Russian sanctions’. In a rather bizarre twist, the authors of the bill want to allow only foreigners from “friendly states” to remain in Russia visa-free for two weeks. Which countries will be regarded as “friendly” will be decided by the…
LONDON: The global tourism sector grew at 3.9 per cent last year, to contribute a record $8.8 trillion and 319 million jobs to the world economy, according to figures from the World Travel & Tourism Organisation. For the eighth consecutive year, this was above the growth rate of world GDP. The research conducted over the last 25 years by WTTC, which represents the global private sector of tourism, shows that tourism generated 10.4 per cent of all global economic activity last year. At the same time, the sector is responsible for one in five of all new jobs created in…
DOHA: Qatar Airways has announced it will be increasing the number of weekly flights on its popular routes to South Africa from July. Weekly flight frequencies to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest metropolis, will increase from 14 to 18 from July, rising to 19 in August. A further two flights will be added to the airline’s winter schedule, taking the total number of weekly frequencies to 21 by the end of October. In addition, passengers hoping to soak up some sun on some of South Africa’s most beautiful scenic beaches will be able to take advantage of the addition of three…
Amadeus maintained solid financial growth in 2018, reporting a 6.6 per cent increase in revenue to €4,944 million for the year. The figure was supported by the operating performance of both its distribution and IT solutions businesses, as well as the acquisition and consolidation of the TravelClick business from October. EBITDA at the tech giant grew 9.7 per cent to €2,041 million in the year to December 31st. Mr.Luis Maroto, President and Chief Executive of Amadeus, commented: “Amadeus maintained its long track record of revenue and profitability growth in 2018. “Our diversification efforts, including the broadening of our hospitality offering…
ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to renovate Roosevelt Hotel (New York) owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The government plans to spend US$27 million to convert it into a ‘mixed-use’ building believing that this change will make it more profitable. PIA is asked to carry out a feasibility study on the mixed-use building of Roosevelt Hotel by June 30, 2019 and submit a report to the cabinet body on privatisation. Completed in 1924, the hotel was named in honour of former US president Theodore Roosevelt, who had previously been the governor of New York State. It has 1,015 rooms, including…
KARACHI: Last week Air Wings Travel organized an impressive event to launch its GSA wwb-online.com a leading portal for the tour operators, travel agents and Hajj Umrah operators of Pakistan. Hosted by the CEO Dar Al-Eiman, Mr. Aminullah, the event was very well attended by Travel agents and Hajj Umrah operators of the city. Air Wings travel is a GSA-Pakistan for wwb-online.com , a leading portal for hotel bookings, flight booking, holiday packages, sightseeing and transfers. They have worldwide booking online with best rates guaranteed. The portal is XML supported, has white labeling solutions, flight booking, dedicated account managers, customized…
KARACHI: To honour the top travel partners of Karachi for their outstanding performance and support, a programme was organized by Iraqi Airways Karachi office. Mr. Basil Ahmed Affendi, Chief Executive, Wardah International Services, GSA Iraqi Airways for Pakistan & AJK and Syed Masood Hassan, GM Sales & Operations greeted the guests upon their arrival. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Basil Ahmed Affendi thanked and appreciated the all travel agents for their cooperation and support for Iraqi air. A Ceremonial Cake cutting ceremony was also held. Mr. Basil Ahmed Affendi cut the cake along with the staff of Iraqi Airways Karachi…
MANAMA: Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has named Rashid Abdulrahman Al Gaoud as the new senior manager of sales for the European and Asian Pacific regions. Al Gaoud has been part of the Gulf Air family for 16 years, during which he was the first Bahraini country manager for the UK- one the airline’s most successful sectors with double daily flights on its new Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 – which he served for six years. “I began working with Gulf Air in 2003 and was enrolled in the company’s management training programme, which was designed to develop Bahrainis for…
KARACHI: The Associates of Karachi Marriott Hotel equipped with spades and 1000 plants invaded lalazar Park and planted 1000 sampling. This activity is the commitment of Hashoo Group for a greener Pakistan. The Tree plantation activity was in association with Karachi Port Trust that has the same mission as Hashoo Group. Mr. Rehan Faiz Pirzada, Cluster General Manager, Karachi Marriott Hotel started the plantation along with KPT GM Admin, Mr. Niaz Ali Jaiser, Mr. Faiz Rasool Manager MPCD and Mr. Umer Ehsan Tarar, Deputy Security Advisor. The activity started with tilawat e Quran and prayers for the prosperity of Pakistan.