Many international travelers who visited the United States were probably feeling sticker shock during their trips as new data show spending was down more than 3 percent last year, the second straight year of a spending slump. International arrivals to the U.S. were also down nearly 4 percent through July 2017, the most recent month for which data is available, which contributed to the spending decline. The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that international visitors spent $149 billion in the U.S. last year, down from $154 billion in 2016, and that international visitor spending dropped 5.8 percent from 2015 to…
Author: holidayweekly
NEW DELHI: Air India will get a one-time grant of 750,000 euros from Israel for launching direct flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv, likely to be rolled out next month. “The condition of the directive includes a grant of 250,000 euro per weekly flight, up to a total of three weekly flights. It is a one-time grant for an airline opening a new direct route into Tel Aviv (TLV) from a destination that has potential for incoming tourism,” said Lydia Weitzman, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism. The Informed sources said that the Indian flag carrier could start…
KARACHI: On 7th February 2018 at the pool side of the distinguished Avari Towers the Sri Lankan Consulate in Karachi organized a three day Sri Lankan Food Festival in honour of the 70th Independence Day Celebration of Sri Lanka. The consular corp and a large cross section of the city’s elite, including industrialists, businessmen, Seniors of Travel industry and professionals had responded to the invitation, making the event all the more impressive evening. [huge_it_slider id=”175″] His Excellency Maj. Gen (R) Jayanath lokuketegodege, Sri Lankan high commissioner in Islamabad, His Excellency G.L. Gnanatheva, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Karachi and Mr.…
KARACHI: On 7th February, an event held at Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel, Karachi, where Hashoo Group announced the issuance of Rated, Secured, Long-Term, Privately Placed Sukuk of PKR 7 billion by Pakistan Services Limited (PSL). [huge_it_slider id=”174″] The said Sukuk Issue is arranged by Elixir Securities Pakistan (Private) Limited and Faysal Bank Limited in their capacity as Mandated Lead Advisors and Arrangers and JS Bank Limited as the Lead Arranger. The Investors in PSL’s Sukuk are Faysal Bank, JS Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, Bank of Punjab, Allied Bank, Soneri Bank and Pak Iran Investment Company. The Transaction Legal Counsel…
ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotels has announced that renowned squash legend, Mr. Jahangir Khan would be the Brand Ambassador of Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy Initiative. The signing ceremony formalized a relationship that began with Jahangir Khan’s involvement in various squash tournaments supported by Serena Hotels. Serena Hotels sports diplomacy calendar includes a range of tournaments and competitions, in golf, polo, cricket, football, skiing, tennis and squash. With squash, Serena made a commitment to help reclaim the legacy of the sport for Pakistan. The sports diplomacy initiative has been used to promote healthier lifestyles, bring foreign athletes to Pakistan, and provide safe gender-neutral…
DOHA: Additional self-check-in kiosks are being installed at Qatar’s Hamad International Airport to make the check-in experience faster and more convenient for passengers, a latest report said. The new kiosks will enable more passengers to perform self-check-in and print their boarding pass, avoiding long queues at check-in counters and providing a faster and hassle-free experience, said a report. The kiosks will also feature a self-bag-drop facility. “We remain committed to continuing to enhance every element of our passengers’ journey both on the ground and in the air,” Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker said. Global aviation industry body International…
NEW DELHI: Vistara, the Indian affiliate of Singapore Airlines Ltd, is in talks with Airbus SE and Boeing Co to buy jets worth as much as $8.5 billion as the carrier seeks to tap India’s growing middle class, according to people familiar with the plans. Vistara, a joint venture with majority owner Tata Group, is seeking to buy about 50 narrowbody jets, typically used for shorter routes, and up to 10 wide-bodies, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing private negotiations. A final decision is likely by June, one of the people said. A representative for Vistara…
GUTAMALA: The ancient Maya civilization has remained a mystery for centuries, hampered by the thick Central American jungle that has made excavations difficult. They were hidden there, all this time, under the cover of tree canopies in the jungles of northern Guatemala, tens of thousands of structures built by the Maya over a millennium ago. [huge_it_slider id=”173″] Not far from the sites tourists already know, like the towering temples of the ancient city of Tikal, a group of scientists has come together and, using cutting-edge technology, they’ve been able to identify more than 60,000 previously unknown Maya structures. This breakthrough…
MUSCAT: Securing final clearances from the Pakistani aviation authorities, SalamAir, Oman’s first budget airline, scheduled to operate three direct flights to Multan starting February 8. As SalamAir’s third destination in Pakistan, Multan will complement the airline’s current flights to Sialkot and Karachi. The new route will also further increase connectivity between the two countries, as well as the region. Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, said: “The addition of Multan to our destinations will allow us to better serve our guests, and cater to rising number of business and leisure travelers. The Pakistani community makes up about 13 per cent…
MUSCAT: Acting CEO Oman Air, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Raisi recently celebrated the inauguration of Oman Air’s new Boeing 737 MAX “This is a very exciting day for us as we take delivery of the first of our 30 Boeing MAX aircraft on order. By the end of 2018 we will receive a total of five aircraft into our fleet. They will serve both domestic and short to medium international sectors. The new B737 MAX will be equipped with 12 new Business Class seats with large 17 inch touch screen monitors and all the amenities needed for the busy road warrior such…