ABU DHABI: The Airline Industry’s Most Outspoken CEO, Qatar Airways’ Akbar Al Baker Makes Surprise Decision to Quit Airline Etihad Airways has signed a new codeshare deal with Scandinavian carrier SAS, opening up a slew of new routes for both airlines. The deal comes just a few weeks after Etihad started flying from its Abu Dhabi hub to Copenhagen, and the new codeshare arrangement includes connections across Scandinavia. In the opposite direction, SAS passengers will be able to book a single ticket through to Abu Dhabi and beyond to a range of exotic destinations not previously served by the airline,…
Author: holidayweekly
KARACHI: Departured from Jinnah International Airport Karachi we were off to Abu Dhabi for our FAM trip conducted by Etihad Airways and Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The group consisted of some of the leading travel agents in Karachi and in Islamabad. Islamabad group joined us there at Southern Sun Hotel. World-renowned for its impeccable service, punctuality, and hospitality we had a wonderful and pleasant journey on Etihad Airways, from the food, aircraft, and cabin crew everything was luxurious and outstanding. Once landed we were taken to the Southern Sun Hotel, where very courteous staff welcomed us.…
KARACHI: The federal government through Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, in a significant move has handed over seven properties to Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) towards completing devolution under the 18th constitutional amendment. In this regard a signing ceremony was held for the handing over –taking over of seven PTDC properties in Sindh to STDC on 11th October at the Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Karachi. Mr. Aftab-Ur-Rehman Rana, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and Syed Feyaz Ahmed Shah Managing Director Sindh tourism Development Corporation (STDC) signed the documents. Arshad Wali Muhammad, caretaker Minister for Tourism,…
ISLAMABAD: In a momentous event set to redefine luxury hospitality in the picturesque region of Patriata, an official signing ceremony of Nizalia Hotel Patriata was organised at Legend Hotel Islamabad on Thursday October 12, 2023. Following this historic occasion, the iconic property is placed under the expert management of Legend Hotels and Resorts, a very frofessional and well-established name in the hospitality industry of Pakistan. The Nizalia Hotel Patriata, nestled in the stunning environs of the Margalla Hills, has recently undergone extensive constructions, resulting in the creation of a state-of-the-art establishment that complements its breathtaking surroundings. Its location amidst lush…
LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Government College University Lahore (GCU) proudly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, establishing a partnership to advance research initiatives of historic sites, manage the library of Lahore Fort, and promote heritage sites within the Walled City of Lahore.Under the terms of the MOU, the two institutions will collaborate on innovative research projects, utilizing the collective expertise of scholars, researchers, and professionals. The partnership will also focus on the preservation and management of the library at Lahore Fort, ensuring its historical manuscripts and artifacts are conserved for future generations. It is significant…
MANAMA: Bahrain’s capital Manama was chosen as the ‘Capital of Gulf Tourism’ for the year 2024 during the 7th meeting of the ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in Oman. The event took place on October 5 in Jabal Al-Akhdar, organised and hosted by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman. The meeting was supervised by GCC Secretariat General. Bahrain earned this prestigious designation due to its outstanding contributions and discernible impact on elevating the Gulf tourism sector, a Bahrain News Agency report said. Recognised for its proactive understanding of the significance of tourism…
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…
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…