Author: holidayweekly

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed direct flights to Mashhad, Iran, after a five-year gap in a bid to develop people to people contacts and boost religious tourism with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The development reportedly came as a result of “serious efforts by the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad” for the facilitation of air travel between the two countries. The announcement for the beginning of PIA’s direct flight operations from Lahore to Mashhad was made by the airline’s Chief Executive Officer during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mohammad Ali Hosseini, a press statement by the…

MURREE: Shangri-La Hotel & Resort – one of the most beautiful hotels in Murree, which is the most popular, beautiful and picturesque tourist destination of Pakistan recently celebrated the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The event was graced Mr. Umar Maqbool, Assistant Commissioner Murree as the Chief Guest while the guests of honour was Mr. Muhammad Nauman Abbasi, Information Secretary, Murree Development Forum and Mr. Nisar Ahmed, President Pakistan Professional Union of Journalists. Speaking on the occasion the speakers paid rich tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and the father of the nation on his…

WASHINGTON: The Biden administration will lift travel restrictions on eight southern African countries imposed last month over concerns about the fast-spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant, the White House said Friday. Foreign nationals who are barred from the United States because they have been in one of the eight countries within the prior 14 days will again be allowed on U.S.-bound flights leaving after 12:01 a.m. ET on Dec. 31, a senior official said, confirming a Reuters report. The United States on Nov. 29 barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique…

KARACHI: PIA District Manager Karachi, Ms. Nadia Gul Sahiba along with Manager Passenger Sales Mr. Hamid Mahmood, Manager Interline Mr. Ayaz Mahmood, Ticketing Office Manager Mr.  Mukhtiar Ali Abbasi and Manager Cargo Mr. Mohsin Hameed met with PIA business Partners and Senior Travel agents at Karachi Gymkhana. They Discussed Matters of mutual interest, particularly the introduction of PIA new routes.

KARACHI: Annual Dinner and Music Program of Old Ravians was held in Oval Ground of Government College, Lahore. Dr Amjad Saqib, Chairman Akhuwwat Foundation graced the event as its Chief Guest. The event was presided by Jahanzeb Nazir Khan, President ORU. Vice Chancellor GCU Dr Asghar Zaidi specially participated. Dr Abdul Basit, Secretary General ORU was the stage secretary. Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Affairs Sheharyar Afridi, Ex-Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khosa, Vice Chancellor KEMU Dr Khalid Masud Gondal, DG Lahore Walled City Authority Kamran Lashari, Ex Federal Secretary Qazi Afaq, famous juornalists Mubashar Luqman, Usama Ghazi & Barrister Ehtisham…

KARACHI: The Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP) and the Consul General of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Jagath Abeywarna during his visit to TAAP Head office agreed on joint efforts to promote reciprocal tourism between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The meeting was attended by Mr. Muhammad Nadeem Sharif, Chairman TAAP, Mr. Muhammad Hanif Dossani, Vice Chairman South zone, Mr. Muhammad Yahya Polani, Former Chairman TAAP and Members Executive & Travel/Tourism committee. Before the start of meeting TAAP chairman expressed his heartfelt condolence and solidarity on behalf of Travel & tourism fraternity of Pakistan on tragic incident of Sialkot where Mr.…

RAWALPINDI: The ban imposed by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations is expected to be lifted soon, as the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) validation committee has cleared a safety audit report after which the Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) will be gradually eased out. “Yes, the ICAO has informed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that the safety audit conducted by its team recently was presented before its validation committee, which cleared it after which the SSC will be removed and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will lift the ban,” CAA Director General…

BERLIN: Organisers Messe Berlin have said the in-person part of ITB Berlin will not take place early next year as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 drives up case numbers across Europe. Instead, the industry-leading show will focus on a livestreamed convention and digital business day in March. Depending on circumstances, there may also be in-person ITB Berlin satellite events during the year. “Naturally, we examined the possibility of postponing ITB Berlin until summer. “However, after consulting with our partners we decided to retain the dates in early March,” explained Martin Ecknig, Chief Executive of Messe Berlin. “These are important for…

LONDON: World Travel Awards, the leading authority that recognizes and rewards excellence in travel and tourism – has unveiled the 2021 winners of its World categories.  Winners include the Maldives, which cemented its reputation as the secluded sanctuary to win ‘World’s Leading Destination’ for the second time. Portugal also performed strongly, with Madeira voting ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’ and The Algarve picking up ‘World’s Leading Beach Destination.  Greek Ministry of Tourism/GNTO was voted ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’, whilst Armenia was named ‘World’s Leading Heritage Destination. Dubai was voted ‘World’s Leading Business Travel Destination’ with Dubai World Trade Centre claiming ‘World’s…

DUBAI: Emirates has received delivery of its 123rd Airbus A380 superjumbo jet, the final new A380 aircraft to join Emirates’ fleet. This marks another milestone in the airline’s 21-year commitment to the A380 program. Receiving delivery of a brand new aircraft amidst an unprecedented global pandemic, Emirates is once again signaling its optimism for industry recovery and the return of travel demand, the airline said. Emirates was the first airline to announce an order for the A380 at the 2000 Farnborough Air Show when the aircraft was still marketed as the A3XX. This was followed with a firm commitment and…