Written by Ch Faisal Mahmood As we wrote earlier that this summer we shall not forget; we should not forget. Not because it had the free fun which the civil society in Europe generally associates with the Season, but because of the unrelenting heat which the weather gods threw down upon Pakistan. The mercury is going high to a dangerous level. 2 years before the heat terror first hit the pilgrims at Sehwan Shareef during the annual URS of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. As if that was not bad enough, damaging the image of our cultural events, no lessons were…
Author: holidayweekly
ISLAMABAD: Hashoo Group and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will create a framework of collaboration on capacity building, hospitality education, entrepreneurship and impact investment. This joint contract will combine the technical expertise of USAID with the largest hospitality company in Pakistan to improve tourism and private sector growth in a sustainable way. The partnership with USAID will enable Hashoo Group to provide programs that achieve significant development results. Hashoo Group of companies, as owner and operators of the Pearl Continental Hotels, Marriott Hotels and Hotel One brands with properties…
DUBAI: Hotel operators in the Gulf region may need to modify their room rates and their overall fee strategy starting next year to continue to appeal to consumers following the introduction of Value-Added Tax (VAT). VAT, which will be imposed at a 5 per cent rate starting 2018 across the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), has the potential to alter consumer behaviour by discouraging guests from booking hotel rooms, according to a report from HVS, a global hospitality consultancy. HVS said the tax is likely to impact price-sensitive, millennial travellers, and said that hotels may need to alter their pricing to…
MANAMA: Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, has announced the appointment of a new board of directors chaired by Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, for the airline. The board also comprises Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Dr Dawood Nassif Dawood, Jameel Ali Al Matrook, Essa Mohamed Najibi, Jean-Christophe Durand and Jassim Hassan Abdelaal. Speaking on the new appointments, Al Zayani said: “I extend my sincerest thanks to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander and Chairman of the Bahrain Economic Development Board for the confidence placed…
CHINA’S major port cities saw the number of inbound and outbound cruise ships grow to 1,040 in 2016, according to the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association. In 2016, the number of outbound Chinese cruise passengers topped 2 million for the first time, and is set to grow to 2.6 million this year, according to the association. Experts forecast Chinese people will make 3.5 million cruise trips annually by 2020, becoming the most dynamic cruise market in the Asia-Pacific region. China has become the world’s eighth-biggest cruise market. There were 18 cruise ships operating in China’s major port cities as…
Qantas has eight Boeing Dreamliner 787-9s on order and they all need a name.Qantas will take delivery of its first Dreamliner later this year and the Australian carrier needs help naming the eight new Boeing 787-9s.Among the suggestions put forward by staff at Australia’s national airline were Uluru, Kakadu, Great Barrier Reef…. and Vegemite. The public competition, which started on Sunday, asked people to suggest up to eight names for the new aircraft. Passengers may soon be flying on the new ‘Vegemite’ Boeing 787-9. “They can be people, places or things, so long as they reflect the true Spirit of…
KARACHI: PIA Chairman Muhammad Irfan Elahi said on Wednesday, 17 May that national flag carrier will extend best possible cooperation and its support to Pakistan Hockey Federation for the revival of our national sport, the hockey. “Despite financial constraints, PIA is playing its due role in the promotion of sports and allied activities and we will be extending cooperation to PHF for putting hockey on the road to progress,” he was talking to media after inaugurating Punjab Chief Minister Women Hockey Cup here at National Stadium. Also present were PHF President Brig. (Retd) Khaid Sajjad Khokhar, Secretary Shhabaz Ahmad and…
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will hold the three-day annual mega Shandur Polo Festival in July. This was announced during a meeting Chaired by Mr. Muhammad Tariq, Secretary Sport, Tourism, Archaeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs. The Managing Director Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP), Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, the Senior General Manager Chief Planning Officer Hayat Ali Shah, the Assistant Tourism Officer Haseena and other officials attended the meeting. The Secretary Tourism Muhammad Tariq said that the festival would provide an opportunity of great thrill and enjoyment to the tourists, spectators and fans of the polo game. He said this…
DOHA: As a part of the very exciting Qatar Airways – Qatar Stopover Program, the Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel welcomed the first transit guests to discover the exciting sights, sounds, and tastes of the sultanate. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways – in partnership with the Qatar Tourism Authority – launched the Qatar Stopover Program offering its transit passengers a range of stopover options to explore the culture and attractions of the sultanate, including a free hotel stay and two-night stay offers at various five-star hotels from May 7 to September 30, 2017. “We are proud to participate in…
KARACHI: Seen here in the picture Ms. Raheela Hameed Durrani, Speaker Baluchistan Assembly, inaugurating Mother’s Day Brunch at Beach Luxury Hotel along with Mr. Azeem Qureshi, General Manager of the Hotel, prominent Chef Zubaida Appa and others staff members were present on the Occasion.