NEGOMBO: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has presented a series of awards in recognition of contributions made to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. The following awards were presented during the PATA Annual Summit 2017 in Negombo, Sri Lanka: PATA Life Member, PATA Award of Merit, PATA Chairman’s Award, and PATA Face of the Future Award, a PATA Certificate of Appreciation, and the PATA Honorary Membership Award. “PATA understands that the success of any destination is dependent upon it people. Therefore it is only appropriate that we take the time to recognise some…
Author: holidayweekly
WASHINGTON: The US Department of the Treasury is reviewing licenses for Boeing Co. and Airbus to sell aircrafts to Iran, while it will do its best to impose additional sanctions on Tehran. [huge_it_slider id=”38″] Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin made the comments before a House of Representatives panel Wednesday. “We will use everything within our power to put additional sanctions on Iran, Syria and North Korea to protect American lives,” he told members of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I can assure you that’s a big focus of mine and I discuss it with the president,” Mnuchin told lawmakers. Most…
While most places around the world welcome tourists with friendly arms, there are some that would rather tourists went elsewhere. According to a survey, there are eight destinations that are particularly fond of hating on tourists. Koh Khai islands, Thailand The Koh Khai islands are home to beautiful coral and scenic beach views, however, as of May 2016; tourists have been banned from visiting the island because of the harm being done to the marine ecosystems and island environment. According to The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, up to 80 per cent of the coral reefs had been damaged,…
NEW YORK: Roger Dow, the President and CEO of the US Travel Association, has issued a statement questioning proposals to scrap funding for Brand USA. [huge_it_slider id=”37″] The statement was issued after it emerged that plans to eliminate the tourism marketing agency were included in President Donald Trump’s federal budget document. “With all that’s going on in the world, unilaterally disarming the marketing of the US as a travel destination would be to surrender market share at the worst possible time,” said Dow. “It’s especially perplexing that the elimination of Brand USA is on the table when both commerce secretary…
SYDNEY: Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said on Monday, 22 May that it was cutting 600 jobs, its biggest head count reduction in almost two decades, as it seeks to return to profitability. Asian carriers like Cathay and Singapore Airlines Ltd have had to contend with competition from mainland Chinese airlines that are expanding international routes aggressively. The job cuts are the first step in a three-year reorganization plan announced this year by Hong Kong’s flagship carrier. It posted an annual loss last year, its first since 2008, and is expected to be in the red again this year. Singapore Airlines,…
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…
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…