JEDDAH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has launched an initiative to make Saudi Arabia the preferred destination for Muslim tourists from all around the world. [huge_it_slider id=”235″] According to SCTH spokesman Saud Al-Mogbil, all the initiatives of the National Transformation Program 2020 demand a model of private/public sector partnership (PPP). “SCTH is building a productive PPP initiative that will transform the national tourism sector and contribute significantly to Saudi Vision 2030,” he told Arab News. He added that the SCTH is linking up with key partners such as the ministries of interior, foreign affairs, Hajj and…
Author: holidayweekly
PESHAWAR: Preparations for the upcoming famous Chilim Jusht or Joshi festival are in full swing as the local people have launched the cleanliness drive, while the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) authorities have planned to set up a tent village to facilitate the tourists in the scenic Kalash valley in Chitral. [huge_it_slider id=”234″] This year the local people are very enthusiastic and are impatiently waiting for festival to celebrate in a befitting manner. The festival, which will kick off on May 14 at the three Kalash valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur, marks the arrival of summer season and provides…
DUBAI: The Emirates Group has posted a profit of AED4.1 billion (US$1.1 billion) for the financial year ended March 31st, up 67 per cent from last year. It is the 30th consecutive year of profit for the Dubai-based carrier. The group’s revenue reached AED102.4 billion (US$27.9 billion), an increase of eight per cent over 2017, while the group’s cash balance increased by 33 per cent to AED25.4 billion (US$6.9 billion) supported by the bond issued in March and strong sales due to the early Easter holidays at the end of March. In line with the overall profit, the group declared…
NEW DELHI: The Taj Mahal, that shining white monument to love, is turning a little … green. And yellow. And black. [huge_it_slider id=”233″] And India’s Supreme Court is not pleased. “You all appear to be helpless,” a Supreme Court judge told government officials earlier this week, after an environmental lawyer argued that pollution and insect dung were discoloring the 17th-century building. “Money should not be the consideration. We might order you to hire experts from within India or abroad. We need to save it,” the judge said, according to numerous Indian media reports. The reports did not give the judge’s…
MUSCAT: Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, recently debuted its new and exclusive premium lounge at the award winning Muscat International Airport. The new stylish premium lounge offers Oman Air guests a further unrivalled service as they travel. Oman Air passengers travelling in First Class and Business Class can now take advantage of the airline’s new premium class lounge offering a pre-flight oasis of calm. The beautiful interiors of the lounge have been influenced by the truly unique terrain found in Oman and designed to reflect the un-spoilt, natural beauty of the desert and the rugged…
SINGAPORE: Sabre Corporation, the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, today announced a new content distribution agreement with Lion Air, the largest privately-owned airline in Indonesia, and its subsidiary, Wings Air, as the preferred global distribution system (GDS) to offer Lion Air content in the carrier’s home market. Sabre has served as a strategic partner to Lion Air and supported both the airline’s reservations and planning and scheduling capabilities through its innovative SabreSonic passenger services system and AirVision portfolio of solutions since the carrier first began operations 18 years ago. Now the airline strives to achieve even more…
CAIRO: Tourists could be saved from over-zealous touts at Egypt’s most popular archaeological sites after the country’s government approved a new fine of to 10,000 Egyptian pounds (£406) for those caught overstepping the line. The new rule, part of the broader Antiquities Protection Law, will target those in and around tourist sites or museums such as the pyramids of Giza, selling goods or offering services in an aggressive manner. “There is no deterrent so far for those who carry out such acts that badly affects tourism,” said minister of archeology Khaled al-Anani. Oscar Saleh, who offers camel rides at Giza,…
BUDAPEST: Another major international environmental award has been received by Budapest Airport; ACI (Airports Council International) confirmed that Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport achieved the so-called “carbon-neutral” accreditation. The accreditation program launched by ACI has found that the operation of Budapest Airport maintains a balance of energy consumption and energy production. Carbon neutrality means this balance has been achieved, as using conventional fossil-based energy always entails emission of CO2, that is, carbon emission, or in other words, a carbon footprint. All around Europe, only about thirty airports belong to the carbon-neutral group. The program of Budapest Airport spanning several years…
DUBAI: Dubai-based carrier flydubai announced during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) the launch of direct flights to Finland’s capital, Helsinki. The daily service from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) will start from October 11. Flydubai becomes the first UAE national carrier to operate direct flights to Finland and the first airline to offer a year-round service between Dubai and Helsinki. Speaking at ATM, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer of flydubai, said: “Flydubai will be the first UAE national carrier to offer direct flights to the capital of Finland. We remain committed to opening up previously underserved markets and…
NEW YORK: With summer just around the corner and families planning out their vacations, Wallet Hub today released its report on 2018’s Most Fun States in America. To determine the states offering the greatest variety and most cost-effective options for enjoyment, the experts compared the 50 states across 26 key metrics. The data set ranges from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to casinos per capita. Top 10 Most Fun States in America 1 California 11 Oregon 2 New York 12 Louisiana 3 Nevada 13 Ohio 4 Florida 14 Missouri 5 Illinois 15 Wisconsin 6 Washington 16 Michigan 7…