BANGKOK: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to reopen the whole country without quarantine by January next year, however that move hinges on high vaccination coverage in order to reach herd immunity. Tourism and sports minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying that Bangkok’s reopening in October has been pushed back to November, as most residents will not receive their second vaccine dose until the end of October. However, Phiphat said that the reopening of Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chon Buri (Pattaya) will go ahead as planned on October 1.…
Author: holidayweekly
ISLAMABAD: German Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Bernhard Stephen Schlagheck called on Board of Investment (BOI) Secretary Fareena Mazhar here on Wednesday, September 8, in Islamabad. They discuss ed matters related to mutual interests and the promotion of trade and business activities between Pakistan and Germany in the meeting. The meeting also discussed the upcoming visit of German investors to Pakistan including the delegation of Lufthansa airline which is keen to resume its operations for Pakistan. Lufthansa is also a part of the delegation and is keen on starting operations in Pakistan, the German ambassador said while talking to the BOI…
LONDON: British Airways has launched BA Better World, its new sustainability programme. The airline said this marked a further commitment to put sustainability at the heart of its business, from reducing emissions and waste and positively contributing to the communities it serves, to creating a great place for people to work in order to build a resilient, responsible business. At an event at British Airways’ Heathrow engineering base on September 8 morning the airline unveiled a new look for one of its most fuel-efficient short-haul aircraft, an A320neo, which it has painted in its new BA Better World sustainability colours…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has removed the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Argentina from the entry banned country list as of 11 am today (September 8) through the country’s land, sea, and airports, a media report said. Citizens will be allowed to travel to the three referred countries, an official source in the Ministry of Interior was quoted as saying by Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The source stressed the importance of adhering to all the precautionary and preventive measures adopted. He explained that all procedures and measures are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom,…
DUBAI: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced updates to its Phuket Sandbox programme – which was pivotal to the Kingdom’s tourism recovery – with the ‘Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension’. Following approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration in Thailand, the programme provides fully vaccinated travellers from the Middle East with opportunities to visit multiple Thai destinations without the need to quarantine. Launched on August 16, the programme reduces the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to 7 days for Mena travellers who received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Director of the TAT for Dubai and the…
KABUL: Ariana Afghan Airlines resumed some flights in Afghanistan between Kabul and three major provincial cities on Saturday, September 4, the carrier said, after a technical team from Qatar reopened the capital’s airport for aid and domestic services. Flights between Kabul and the western city of Herat, Mazar-i Sharif in northern Afghanistan, and Kandahar in the south have started, the airline said in a statement. “Ariana Afghan Airlines is proud to resume its domestic flights,” it said. Earlier, Qatar’s ambassador to Afghanistan said a technical team was able to reopen Kabul airport to receive aid, according to Qatar’s Al Jazeera…
ISLAMABAD: Lakson Group, one of Pakistan’s leading business conglomerates, has joined hands with Air Arabia Group, a major low-cost carrier based in Sharjah, to launch its new budget airline, Fly Jinnah. The proposed JV will see the establishment of a low-cost passenger airline serving domestic and international routes from Pakistan, said the statement from Lakson. Fly Jinnah will serve the strategic vision of Pakistan’s travel and tourism sector and contribute to the country’s economic growth and job creation while providing Pakistanis with reliable and value for money air travel, it stated. “Fly Jinnah” will initially be based in Karachi serving…
KUALA LUMPUR: Langkawi will become the first destination in Malaysia to reopen to domestic tourists from September 16, subject to conditions that are still being worked out. Details on whether travel to Langkawi Island is open to all Malaysians or only to those who are fully vaccinated, have yet to be announced. Currently, the interstate travel ban is still enforced nationwide. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on August 2 that other tourist destinations in the country will be allowed to operate once local vaccination rates reach 80 percent. Langkawi Business Association president, Anthony Wong, said: “It is indeed very…
ISTANBUL: The Turkish government has eased travel restrictions and quarantine rules for Pakistani nationals keeping in view hardships faced by them amid the Covid pandemic. A statement issued by the Interior Ministry of Turkey stated that entry precautions for Pakistani nationals have been eased and there will be no quarantine for vaccinated persons. However, for those who cannot show their vaccination documents, it stated that the residents and students will have to quarantine at the given addresses while tourists will quarantine at booked hotels. The statement further said that those coming from Pakistan who has a valid residence and work…
KARACHI: Emirates has announced the appointment of Mohammad Alnahari Alhashmi as Vice President for Pakistan, effective 1st September. Alhashmi will be responsible for leading the airline’s operations and strengthening Emirates’ presence in the market. Mohammed Sarhan, who was previously Vice President of Emirates for Pakistan, will now take on a new role as Vice President of Emirates for India. Mohammed Alnahari Alhashmi, Emirates Vice President for Pakistan, said: “I’m very honored and thrilled to be leading Emirates’ operations in Pakistan. I look forward to working closely with our talented local team and to continue driving the airline’s growth in the…