RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has terminated an agreement to allow a consortium comprising Singapore’s Changi Airports International and Saudi Naval Support Company to manage and operate the new King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah. The decision comes just 10 months after the award of the concession to the consortium. In a statement released by GACA, the authority said: “Following an internal review, Gaca has decided to undertake a new international tendering process for the contract to manage the new King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah. This review raised a number of fundamental concerns…
Author: holidayweekly
AL AIN: International experts at the forefront of the adventure travel industry gathered in Al Ain last week to discuss issues and opportunities in travel and tourism at the PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart. The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2018 began on February 21 in Al Ain, UAE with 180 delegates from 33 countries in attendance for the three-day niche event. The event, which was organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, brought together 180 delegates from 33 countries…
LAHORE: On the Grand launch of flynas’s operations in Pakistan, an event was organized by Landmark communications (pioneer of Pakistan Travel Mart) at Faletti’s hotel Lahore, which proved to be a huge success as the seniors of travel trade, airline and aviation industry along with many dignitaries from the government and private sector graced the event. Commenting on the ongoing expansion, flynas CEO Bander Al-Mohanna said: “Ever since flynas was established over 10 years ago, we have been continuously finding new opportunities and reaching new destinations, and in this process we welcome Pakistan onboard.” [huge_it_slider id=”188″] While addressing the gathering,…
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Privatization Ch. Daniyal Aziz once again confirmed the privatization of PIA on Wednesday when he told the Senate that 51 per cent share of Pakistan International Airlines and its management would remain with the government while 49 per cent share will be sold by April 15. The minister said the process was started under the PIAC Conversion Act 2016 unanimously passed by the House. He said the Speaker had set up a committee, which had representation of all political parties to bring improvement in the national flag carrier. The committee has drafted the Act, which was unanimously…
KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry has again appointed the senior travel, tourism, and aviation expert Mr. Salman Javed, Chief Operating Officer Korean Air, as the Chairman of its Standing Committee on Tourism Marketing. Mr. Javed brings this Committee his vast experience in Marketing – having served as Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation after having held several senior positions as a Director in PIA. He has also been Honourary Joint Secretary of South Asia Tourism Association, Member Secretary and Chairman of PATA Pakistan Chapter and Vice Chairman of United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation’s Affiliate…
The travel industry is moving towards increased personalization, as merchandizing techniques drive new revenues and business opportunities, and as travelers expect brands to know them and adapt offers accordingly. It is against this backdrop that Amadeus has announced the creation of a dedicated program to drive the industrialization of NDC and ensure its success for all travel players. New Distribution Capability (NDC), created by IATA, is an XML-based data transmission standard that holds huge promise for the travel industry, and will enable travel companies – from airlines to travel agencies – to evolve travel distribution and merchandizing. With this in…
KARACHI: Mr. Muhammad Naeem Sharif, Chairman Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP) visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 14, 2018 wherein he was warmly welcomed by the Director General Tourism Malaysia Honorable Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyab and Seniors Directors of the organization. During the meeting, the Chairman TAAP appreciated the Tourism Malaysia’s efforts in promotion of tourism and discussed the matters of reciprocal tourism between Pakistan and Malaysia and other matters of mutual interest. Both the teams agreed to maintain the relationship and cooperation for promotion of tourism between Pakistan and Malaysia. Seen here in the picture he is…
BAHAWALPUR: The Second time consecutively, Sardar Nadir Magsi won the Cholistan Desert Rally in the prepared category by completing the track in 4 hours 32 minutes and 9 seconds. He was declared the champion of 13th Desert Jeep Rally in the prepared category followed by Sahibzada Sultan who completed the track in 4 hours 37 minutes and 36 seconds on second position while Jaffar Maghsi completed the track in 4 hours 39 minutes and 21 seconds to claim the third position. [huge_it_slider id=”187″] Tushna Patel, the wife of the famous driver Roni Patel, completed the track of 90 kilometer in…
KARACHI: A grand dinner-reception was hosted by the US Consulate General to celebrate the US National Day and to bid farewell to the outgoing Consul General, Her Excellency Grace Shelton, on Thursday evening. [huge_it_slider id=”186″] The consular corps and a large cross section of the city’s elite, including politicians, industrialists, businessmen, lawyers, bureaucrats, media seniors and professionals had responded to the invitation, making the event a very impressive evening. The Chief Guest, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shahlauded the 70year-old Pakistan-US ties and said a visible sign of that were the large Pakistani alumni of US universities. He also…
DUBAI: Travel and tourism sector will continue to play a vital role in the UAE’s economy, giving a fillip to its GDP. The sector is estimated to create thousands of new jobs over the next eight years, thanks to a host of factors, especially new retail, leisure and entertainment offerings and medical tourism. Overall, 77,400 new jobs will come up in travel and tourism sector across the UAE. It means the number of people working in travel and tourism (T&T) sector will increase from 317,300 in 2016 to 394,700 by 2026 in the UAE, according to World Travel and Tourism…