BANGKOK: Thailand’s golden beaches are filling with tourists once again and Chinese Tourists are getting an especially VIP welcome under a new visa-free scheme. The newly appointed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced a visa-free policy for Chinese and Kazakh tourists that would run from September 25 to February 29 next year, signaling that the recovery of Thailand’s tourism industry is a top priority. The policy came just in time for China’s “Golden Week” holiday period, which is centered around National Day on October 1. This year’s Golden Week coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, marking a 10-day travel rush spanning September…
Author: holidayweekly
ISLAMABAD: A Cabinet body, on Friday, ( Oct 06) approved the invocation of an emergency regulation to directly hire financial advisors for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with the aim of preparing the loss-making entity for sale within the next four months. The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) decided to hire an international financial advisor by directly inviting proposals from the top 25 global financial firms, bypassing the need for open bids through advertisements. This decision is expected to expedite the process by approximately two months, allowing for the preparation of the transaction structure and other milestones to…
SKARDU: In its ongoing partnership with PIA as its technology partner, Hitit continues to cultivate strong, friendship-based business relationships with travel agencies in Pakistan. These workshops not only facilitate crucial knowledge exchange but also create memorable moments. During our recent session in Skardu, followed by a delightful lunch, we had the pleasure of both informing and entertaining some of Skardu’s prominent travel agencies. Hitit, one of the global leaders in airline and travel technology solutions, continues its commitment to fostering educational and engaging interactions with travel agencies, recognizing them as pivotal partners in Pakistan. This time, Hitit convened with esteemed…
ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has made good on its promise of growth and greater connectivity by starting flights to three key destinations. Inaugural services to Dusseldorf (DUS), Germany began on September 28, followed the next day by Copenhagen (CPH), Denmark and then Osaka (KIX), Japan on October 1. Meanwhile, the airline has unveiled increased frequencies to popular destinations Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Malaysia and Colombo (CMB), Sri Lanka. The flights are part of a package of new routes and increased frequencies designed to meet customer demand for more opportunities to visit Abu Dhabi…
ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotel in collaboration with the Embassy of France hosted the enchanting Melodies De Piano Fundraising Gala, featuring the world-renowned piano virtuoso Maxime Zecchini, on 4th October at Islamabad Serena Hotel. This exceptional evening of classical music not only captivated the audience with mesmerizing performances but also served a noble cause. All the proceeds from this event were dedicated to environment protection and climate resilience initiatives, supporting efforts to combat climate change and conserve our natural resources. Maxime Zecchini, celebrated for his extraordinary talent and musical prowess, graced the stage with a performance that promised to leave the audience…
ISLAMABAD: To commemorate the World Tourism Day, a Cultural Caravan kicked off on a double decker bus (along with a motorcade) from the modern capital: Islamabad to arrive the ancient capital Taxila in about 1 ½ hours’ time. Then called in the days of yore: Takshashila, aptly named after Taksha (son of Bharata), the first ruler of Takshashila, which also stood up to its literal meaning: City of cut stone, then located along the eastern banks of River Indus. Today the city boasts some 30 archeology sites, many designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On the direction of the…
RIYADH: Iranian Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Maryam Jalali Dehkordi, has shared the ongoing efforts between Iran and Saudi Arabia to enhance their tourism relations and eliminate visa requirements. Currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to participate in World Tourism Day events, Maryam Jalali Dehkordi affirmed that she had engaged in discussions with Sultan M. Al-Musallam, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism for International Affairs. Their talks centered on finding ways to address obstacles hindering the development of tourism relations between the two nations. Dehkordi extended an invitation to the Saudi Minister of Tourism to visit Iran as a…
KARACHI: The Ministry of Tourism, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Sindh celebrated World Tourism Day with an event held at the famous & historic Mohatta Palace. Organized by the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC), the celebration was a testament to the rich heritage of Sindh and a call to promote sustainable tourism. Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (rtd) Maqbol Baqar said that the government would invest in the development of eco-friendly tourism destinations across the province while prioritizing conservation, low-impact infrastructure and community involvement. The event witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including the Chief Minister and Governor of…
RIYADH: The global tourism industry pledged to promote innovative investment, education and destinations at the official celebrations to mark World Tourism Day at the Four Seasons Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. More than 50 ministers of tourism alongside hundreds of high-level delegates from the public and private sectors attended the celebrations that featured expert-led panels focusing on key topics around this year’s theme of ‘Tourism and Green Investments’. The plans were backed with concrete actions as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced several important new initiatives. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This year has been the biggest World Tourism…
KARACHI: Amadeus Pakistan unveiled its state-of-the-art Training & Innovation Center in Karachi, marking a pivotal moment for travel sellers in Pakistan. The prestigious inauguration ceremony was graced by His Excellency, Mr. José A. de Ory, the Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan, alongside distinguished people including Mr. Ghouse Akbar, Chairman of Akbar Group, Mr. Mir Akbar – General Manager of Amadeus Pakistan, and Mr. Tuan Azran Burah, Head of TAIT Market Management – EMEA Partner Markets, along with esteemed travel agents. The launch event was more than just a ceremony; it kicked off with a dynamic two-day workshop, “TechXcelerate: Reshaping the…