LONDON: The Airports Council International (Global) has announced the winners of the 2016 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, naming Heathrow as the Best Airport in Europe amongst airports with over 40 million passengers for 2016. The awards are particularly significant for Heathrow as passengers themselves, reflecting the views of travellers from right across the globe, vote them. Alongside the award of ‘Best Airport in Europe’, Heathrow achieved its best ever annual ASQ passenger satisfaction score while welcoming a record 76 million passengers through the UK’s hub. Normand Boivin, Heathrow’s Chief Operating Officer said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this…
Author: holidayweekly
RAWALPINDI: Managing Director PTDC Ch. Abdul Ghafoor Khan while talking to media after coming back from his 4 days official visit of Thailand said that during his stay in Bangkok, he met Pakistani Ambassador Dr. Sohail Khan and discussed that now it is the right time for Pakistani Mission overseas to act more efficiently and at accelerated pace for sending more tourist to Pakistan. Pakistani living abroad is the ambassadors of peace and also assets for the country. On invitation of Ambassador Dr. Sohail Khan, MD PTDC visited the Embassy in Bangkok where they also discussed the visa issues being…
MADRID: On March 6, in Madrid, Mr. Márcio Favilla made it official when he handedover his documents to compete for the UNWTO Secretary General position to current Secretary-General Mr. Taleb Rifai. Mr. Favilla Lucca de Paula is currently Executive Director for Competitiveness, External Relations and Partnerships at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) based in Madrid, Spain. He has been in this position since January 2010. From April 2007, Mr. Favilla Lucca de Paula was Vice Minister of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations of the Presidency of Brazil. Prior to this appointment, he was Brazil’s first Vice Minister of Tourism (2003-2007)…
KARACHI: The SKAL-International Karachi Chapter, which has been activated this year, hosted a lunch for its members and guests at Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi. In his opening remarks the President of Karachi Chapter, Syed Javaid Hasan welcomed the guests and introduced the SKAL International Karachi founder members/Directors and office bearers. Mr. Amin Wali Mohammad is elected as the Vice President while Mr. Khadim Rasool is the Secretary and Ms Tahira Bhojani as Deputy Secretary. Mr. Syed briefly informed the guests on the SKAL International working, aims and objectives. He emphasized on the importance of SKAL Club, which is a networking club…
BERLIN: The refurbished ITB App provides users with all information about ITB and assists as a guide on the exhibition grounds. With the app exhibitors and visitors alike can organise their entire visit to the world’s largest travel show and get all the information and services they need at any time on their mobile device. The new 3D floor plan displays all exhibition and convention halls. In addition the new navigation feature makes it easier to find one’s way from one to another hall. The new private chat room is available to organise the visit much easier than before. The…
BERLIN: Focusing on how to foster sustainable tourism development along the ancient route, the seventh UNWTO Silk Road Ministers Meeting was held earlier at ITB Berlin on 8 March, 2017. 33 countries from the Silk Road and beyond exchanged best-practice on how to advance the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals. The Silk Road Programme engages 33 UNWTO Members States including Pakistan, UN agencies, UNWTO Affiliate Members, as well as an extensive network of private sector stakeholders. Addressing the meeting, UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, said: “2015 was a landmark year with the approval of the universal SDGs…
DUBAI: The Authorities at Dubai Airports has introduced stricter baggage regulations. The new rules, which came into effect on March 8, rolled out to reduce the risk of mishandlings and enhance the performance of its check-in and baggage operation at Dubai International, officials said. “Dubai International Airport (DXB) provides some of the most sophisticated baggage systems in the world,” said Ali Angizeh, Vice President of Terminal Operations at Dubai International Airport. “However, even the most technologically advanced systems can be disrupted by irregular shaped or oversized bags. Bags that are round or do not have a flat surface of any…
BANGKOK: Managing Director PTDC, Ch. Abdul Ghafoor Khan during his visit to Thailand met Pol. Col. Nithithorn Chintakanon, Deputy Commander of Tourist Police Division office and told that the government is committed to promote and develope tourism in Pakistan and wanted to uplift the foreign exchange earning industry by showcasing the country as a tourist-friendly destination. Ghafoor told that to provide best possible security to the tourists the Government of Pakistan would introduce a special police force for the tourists on Thailand’s pattern. “We will establish a tourism police force on the model of Thailand to provide security for incoming…
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yusaf, Thursday, March 9, briefed Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on arrangements for Hajj 2017 at the Prime Minister’s House. The PM directed the Ministry to further improve the arrangements for Hajj 2017 by taking initiatives for ensuring better facilities at the minimum possible cost. Sardar Muhammad Yusaf told that was a remarkable improvement in arrangements of Hajj in the last three years in line with the vision of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister appreciated the Ministry and its team led by Sardar Yusaf for their dedication and…
BERLIN: Speaking at the opening ceremony of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism show, 2017 Edition of ITB Berlin, Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General UNWTO Said that Tourism can transform our world and build better understanding in a world living a deficit of tolerance. “We live the worst of times and the best of times. “Times when we wake up every other day with the threat of terrorism at our doorstep and the glooming numbers of unemployment. “Times of isolationism and ill-conceived actions like travel bans, which do not lead to increased security but just to growing tension. “Despite all…