MANAMA: Zayid bin Rashid Al Zayani, Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister of Kingdom of Bahrain has been appointed as the new Chairman of Gulf Air Board with effect from April 10, 2017. Sources confirmed that Al Zayani will hold the position for the next three years, in replacement of Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who has been in the position since November 2012. Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, had begun a restructuring plan in 2013, in a bid to cut losses. Since then, the company’s workforce was reduced from 5,000 employees…
Author: holidayweekly
DUBAI: The UAE has been named the most competitive economy for travel and tourism in the Middle East and North Africa, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF). The UAE, which welcomed 14.4 million international visitors in 2015, has been ranked number one in the Middle East region for business environment, safety and security, human resources, transport infrastructure and ICT readiness, among many others. Globally, the UAE ranked 29th on the list, followed by Qatar (47th position) in the overall ranking for the Middle East, with Bahrain (60th position), Israel (61st position) and Saudi Arabia (63rd…
DUBAI: The Granting of visas on arrival to Chinese and Russian tourists by the UAE has sparked a huge influx of tourists to Dubai, with hoteliers reporting they’re nearly fully booked. During the first three months of the year, hotels across the emirate recorded an occupancy level of 86.3 per cent, showing a 2.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The increase in bookings was more significant in affordable properties than in posh, high-end hotels, with Dubai’s “midscale and economy classes” experiencing a combined 7.2 per cent year-over-year growth in room uptake and luxury hotels posting…
ATLANTA: Anticipating the huge repercussions of passenger dragging very unpleasant incident of United Airlines, Delta has given green single to airport employees to offer passengers up to almost $10,000 in compensation to give up their seats on overbooked flights. Delta’s move comes as United Airlines struggles hard to recover from images of a passenger’s forced removal from a sold-out flight. The Passenger dragged off United flight lost two teeth told his Lawyer. In an internal memo obtained by the media, Delta says gate agents can offer up to $2,000 in compensation, up from a previous maximum of $800, and supervisors…
KARACHI: Last week Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KCCI) organised the 14th My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition at Karachi Expo Centre. The event, by all means was a thumbing success where thousands of people visited the Expo and appreciated the arrangements good quality, and vast variety of products on display. Among all, the centre of attraction for all the visitors was the colourful Thailand Pavilion setup by the Royal Thai Consulate, Karachi, where all Thai products which are being imported by Pakistani businessmen were displayed in an organised manner. Reaching at Expo Centre H.E. Suwat Kaewsook, Consul…
KARACHI: WWF-Pakistan, in collaboration with the wildlife departments of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, successfully concluded the fourth Indus river dolphin survey last week. Starting on March 21 from Chashma Barrage, the survey concluded at Sukkur Barrage, covering the entire Indus river dolphin distribution range. The Indus river dolphin is a freshwater cetacean and a global priority species. It is endemic to the Indus River System in Pakistan and is listed as endangered in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species. Dr. Gillian T. Braulik, member International Union for the Conservation of Nature…
The US & UK order prohibiting passengers from carrying laptops and other electronics into the cabins of some overseas flights is raising concerns about a risk unrelated to terror: the potential for those devices’ lithium-based batteries to catch fire in the baggage hold. The Flight Safety Foundation, a non-profit funded by airlines and other groups to reduce the risk of accidents, on Friday issued a press release urging the industry to take steps not to “introduce another risk” from the highly flammable batteries powering the electronics. The concern is that passengers are being told to place electronic devices into cargo…
ISLAMABAD: According to the recently released Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2017 by World Economic Forum, Pakistan has been able to slide one point upward from 125th position to at 124th position out of 136 countries. As per the report Average receipts per arrival have been estimated at $328.3 whereas total receipt has been amounted to $317 million, with travel and tourism competitiveness has a share of 2.8 per cent of GDP. The worst ranking for Pakistan pointed out by the report was visa requirements where ranking was 135 out of 136 countries. The government’s prioritisation of travel and tourism…
RAWALPINDI: After restoration of peace in the country, the Swat valley witnessed a remarkable tourist flow during the previous years and it is projected that this figure is expected to increase this year. People of Swat are ready to welcome tourists in their valley and PTDC is making efforts to revive tourism in Swat, the Switzerland of Pakistan that has one of the oldest civilizations history and the beautiful scenery one could ever see. This was stated by Ch. Abdul Ghafoor Khan, Managing Director PTDC while meeting Muhammad Ali, District Nazim Swat here in Rawalpindi last week. He added that…
ISTANBUL: Turkish Airlines takes in-flight experience even further. Having the passenger’ satisfaction as the airline’s priority, wide on-board selection of the carrier continues to be broadened in order to reach the widest range of passengers’ requests. Yet another innovation developed by Turkish Airlines to enable its business class passengers to enjoy the best Turkish hospitality within the concept of privileged travel. Living garden concept including new cosmetics consisting of hand lotion, hand soap and room odor branded with Molton Brown –a brand identified with refreshment, naturalness and luxury, are presented on specially designed wooden stands with live plants in business…