amin.lalani@tcbworkplace.com

ISLAMABAD: Continuous improvement and strengthening of regulatory bodies for implementation of quality standards and certifications for the tourism and hospitality sectors is the hallmark of the countries which have a flourishing tourism industry. In Pakistan, there is a need for a proper regulatory framework and certification mechanism to ensure that tourists receive unparalleled experience through quality services and value for their money while visiting Pakistan.

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Implementation of minimum standards through an effective regulatory program is a vital tourism industry asset, designed to establish and improve operational efficiencies in tourism and hospitality industry. Accredited and certified tourism and hospitality businesses have a greater advantage with regards to running and marketing their business including an improved reputation in the tourism marketplace, improved profitability through the implementation of better operating systems, improved employee morale, effective management, and increased customer confidence and satisfaction leading to repeat business.

To discuss this important aspect of tourism industry of Pakistan, an one-day consultative workshop was organized by National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) and Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) on 15th October at Ramada Hotel Islamabad. Key stakeholders from public and private sector organizations including representatives of Provincial Department of Tourist Services (DTS), Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, Pakistan Hotel Association, Pakistan Restaurants Association, Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, Travel Agents Association of Pakistan, Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan, Adventure Foundation Pakistan, Alpine Club of Pakistan, College of Tourism and Hotel Management and other organizations participated in this day long workshop.

Mr. Aftab Rana, President of STFP was invited to give a keynote talk on the need to promote and facilitate sustainable and standardized growth of tourism industry in Pakistan by implementing high quality standards and achieving service excellence in tourism services through a well-designed certification and licencing mechanism. Later on, in working group discussion, participates discussed the key issues in detail and formulated recommendation on the following five main segments of tourism and hospitality services.

KARACHI:  Faysal Bank Limited (FBL), one of the leading Islamic banks in Pakistan, together with the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), have joined hands to promote the State Bank of Pakistan’s initiative of Roshan Digital Accounts with the announcement of a 3-month promotional campaign for Faysal Islami Roshan Digital Account (RDA) holders & PIA passengers in a momentous ceremony.

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Faysal Bank is encouraging Overseas Pakistanis to open Faysal Islami Roshan Digital Accounts and remit USD 1,000 (or its equivalent) for a chance to a win free PIA return ticket from their country of residence to Pakistan. The campaign will be live for three months where four winners will be announced every week via lucky draws.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Yousaf Hussain, President & CEO – Faysal Bank Limited, said,

“Faysal Bank is fully committed towards the State Bank’s national cause of promoting the Roshan Digital Accounts and proud to partner with our national flag carrier towards this endeavor. Through Faysal Islami’s Roshan Digital Accounts, Overseas Pakistanis can now easily avail a range of Shariah compliant banking and investment solutions with only a few clicks on their mobiles or computer while in the comfort of their homes. We look forward to more of such partnerships in the future where we can collectively serve our consumers with the best.”

Commenting on the alliance, Air Marshal Arshad Malik, CEO of PIACL added, “As the national flag carrier we feel honored to promote this national cause in partnership with Faysal Bank. Our partnership will allow us to serve Overseas Pakistanis in general and FBL customer’s in particular with a world class flying experience. We are delighted to be welcoming them on-board our flights to and from Pakistan and live up to our slogan of Great People To Fly With.”

MANAMA: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain has issued a Royal Decree appointing Dr Nasser Ali Yousif as Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).

 Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister shall implement the decree which takes immediate effect, and will be published in the official gazette, said a Bahrain News Agency report.

AMMAN: Full-year 2020 passenger numbers in the Middle East (to/from/within) are forecast to reach only 30% of 2019 levels, down significantly from the 45% that was projected in July, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said.

In absolute numbers, the Middle East is expected to see 60 million travelers in 2020 compared to the 203 million in 2019, said IATA in a news briefing.

In 2021, demand in the Middle East is expected to strengthen to 45% of 2019 levels to reach 90 million travelers to/from/within the region, said IATA, adding that a full return to 2019 levels is not expected until late 2024.

Regional travel picked up across the Middle East from the low point in April as countries in the region re-opened their borders, however, international travel has remained heavily constrained, owing to the return of government restrictions in the face of new Covid-19 outbreaks in a number of key markets,

Forward bookings for air travel in the fourth quarter show a much slower recovery than had been expected previously.

“The slower than anticipated return to the skies for travelers in the Middle East is more bad news for the region’s aviation industry. A few months ago, we thought that a fall in passenger numbers to 45% of 2019 levels was as bad as it could get,” said Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.

“But the second wave, combined with continuing travel restrictions and quarantines, will result in passenger numbers in the region being less than a third of what we had in 2019. This heightens the urgency for governments to adopt systematic Covid-19 testing to restart travel and curb the economic devastation that is being caused because people cannot travel.”

MADRID: The next edition of the International Tourism Fair, FITUR 2021, will be held from the 19 to 23 May next year as decided by IFEMA and the FITUR Organising Committee. This decision arrives following a meditated decision that, exceptionally, makes the event essential to the recovery of the tourism industry, at a time that will still preserve its high international impact as well as promote the professional reunion of companies, countries, and destinations. It will also provide a much-needed boost to the worldwide tourism activity.

The exceptional change of dates aims to facilitate the participation of all the main players of the tourism industry, at a time when the trade fair plays a critical role in tourism recovery.  The meeting of the FITUR Organising Committee, headed by IBERIA’s President, Javier Sánchez Prieto, also featured speeches by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdés; UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili; the President of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, CEHAT, Jorge Marichal; the President of the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies, CEAV, Carlos Garrido, and the President of Mesa del Turismo, Juan Molas, among others.

For its part, IFEMA is presently focusing all its effort on presenting an edition aimed at contributing to the recovery of tourism at a time when FITUR’s role as a driving engine is critical and decisive. Therefore, it is highly essential to focus on optimizing its rallying power, alongside enriching its specialized content and new business niches, as well as promoting knowledge areas that contribute towards restabilizing both the national and international tourism activity, as one of the world’s main growth engines and especially for Spain, where tourism is the main sector, both in terms of GDP and employment.

FITUR is receiving unanimous support from Spain’s tourism industry and currently stands as the world’s second major trade fair, and first regarding its impact on the Latin American market. Each edition brings together over 11,000 companies from 165 countries, as well as official representatives from a large number of nations from around the world. It is also Spain’s major event for the tourism business, with over 250,000 attendees from around the world, as well as for innovation and promotion of new tourism segments, technological leadership in tourism management, and a tool for knowledge transfer.

Its high level of representation is also acknowledged by the support from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), with head office in Madrid; a bond that is also embodied in the Governing Board of Affiliate Members of the UNWTO which is currently chaired by IFEMA/FITUR. Its annual event entails an economic impact of €330 million, with the ensuing direct outcome on the recovery of tourism activities and boosting of the sectors linked to tourism in Madrid.

ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will become the first GCC carrier to operate a commercial passenger flight to and from Israel, to bring Israel’s top travel and tourism leaders to the UAE.

The historic flight, flown in partnership with the Maman Group, will depart Tel Aviv on 19 October, operated by an Etihad Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft for the three-and-a-half-hour journey from Israel to the UAE. The return journey will depart Abu Dhabi on 21 October.

As a travel trade mission, the flight will bring a group of tourism industry leaders, key corporate decision makers, travel agents, and cargo agents, along with media to experience Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, at the invitation of Etihad Airways and representatives of Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry.

This is the latest development in a growing cooperation between the two nations following the establishment of diplomatic ties, and the signing of the Abraham Accords between the UAE and Israel in Washington D.C. on 15 September. It also follows Israeli national airline El Al’s first symbolic commercial flight between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi on 31 August.

His Excellency Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Today’s flight is a historic opportunity for the development of strong partnerships here in the UAE, and in Israel, and Etihad as the national airline, is delighted to be leading the way. We are just starting to explore the long-term potential of these newly forged relationships, which will be sure to greatly benefit the economies of both nations, particularly in the areas of trade and tourism, and ultimately the people who call this diverse and wonderful region home.”

As an important facilitator of trade, the flights between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi will also carry commercial cargo sourced from, and destined for, points across Etihad’s global network, in addition to commercial guests.

Coinciding with the first commercial flight and in celebration of the recent peace accords between the UAE and Israel, Etihad has become the first non-Israeli airline in the Middle East to launch a dedicated website for the Israeli market in Hebrew. Also available in English, the Israeli version of the airline’s official website contains digital content including extensive information on Etihad’s operations, product, services, and network. The site also includes an Abu Dhabi destination guide.

As the UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways is one of the world’s leading airlines, acclaimed for its unparalleled service, industry leading cabins, and genuine Arabian hospitality.

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has made special arrangements for the convenience of its passengers and will operate flights to London and Manchester from October 30, 2020, a statement issued by the national flag carrier said on Saturday, October 17.

The airline will operate state-of-the-art aircraft with in-flight entertainment availability, spacious flatbed business class seats, and comfortable economy seats with improved food menu and taste, it added.

Initially, the flights will be operated on Islamabad-London, Lahore-London and Islamabad-Manchester routes. The bookings on these flights had already been started.

PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Marshal Arshad Malik, sharing his views on the finalisation of flight arrangements, instructed the officials concerned to provide best services to the passengers of these flights, as well as all PIA flights.

It is expected that more passengers will avail our flights on these sectors, as latest aircraft with enhanced services are being used for these sectors, he added.

By Ms. Munaza Kazmi

Resulting in the outbreak of COVID-19, industries have been troubled by ambiguities & uncertainties, & this scenario is quite evident in the tourism & hotel industry, which is based on human mobility & interaction. It can be said the hotel & tourism industry is the main receiver of the catastrophe & its consequence.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Pakistan’s Hotel Industry:

Coronavirus attacked Pakistan on late February 2020, from onwards its hotel industry has confronted with damaging consequences from mainly lockdowns & quarantine. These results have affected each & every stakeholder in the hotel industry. Resulting the travel bans & prolonged quarantine, there seemed the cancelation of bookings & tourists unwillingness to travel due to the fear of virus. These cancelations have eventually led to cut their costs even to the risk of survival. It was reported that many of the small & medium hotel went to complete shut down & closer of business which have affected the bread & butter of many poor people. As there are 12,000 hotels in Pakistan that directly & indirectly employ 2.5 million families, moreover tourism & hospitality is the Pakistan’s second largest contributor in economy & foreign reserves. Furthermore, this scenario had headed to sharp decline in the market value in the stock exchange, as reported by Asian Development Bank in the worst-case scenario, Pakistan Hotels may face loss of $ 253.7 million whereas in the moderate case, the loss would be around $ 0.67 million. I would say Pakistan is under the era of slow recovery & lies between moderate to worst case since still hotels have not started operating as before, moreover the influx of international tourist is still near to zero, though Prime Minister Imran Khan have lifted the restriction on tourism industry, but almost more than half nations of the world had closed their boarders.

The scenario will persist, since the loss not just incurred on the economy only but to the physical as well mental health of the people, it raised the numerous fears & anxiety issues, the concerns for infection, for risking the lives, these concerns can have negative impact on the industry, though the industry will revive but slowly & for that Pakistan have to gear up for tomorrow.

Preparing for tomorrow:

It was observed by, that the industry of tourism & hospitality comes under a persistent crises & disaster since the beginning of 21^st century. The pandemic of coronavirus came under the same category, as it is neither predictable nor avoidable & effecting the working & operations of entities round the globe.

COVID-19 Disaster Management Framework for Hotels:

Phase	Principles	Strategies
Pre-event 26 February 2020 when two cases were reported.	Visualization	An effective team under a good manager.Potentiality of disaster & its probability of occurrencePlanning & CommunicationRisk analysisProactive planningAwarenessCreating digital communication network.Making, recording & communicating disaster management strategy.
Prodromal 15-25 March 2020, more cases reported, & it was registered that the spread had happened.Lockdown in Pakistan was made in less than a day.The operations of big hotels started affecting in response of travel bans & shut downs.Restaurants receiving lockdown notices from government.Cancellations of bookings have been recorded which drastically have stroke the cash flows of hotels.	Mitigation	Reduce vulnerabilityBusiness Continuity ManagementEnsuring the wellbeing of staff, clients & propertyReduce non-essential labor costs flexibility MultitaskingOnline sessionsUsing annual leave & reduction in working hours.Review & revise marketing
Emergency April 15 June 2020.Cases reached on its peak with 6,825 new cases.Shutdowns & closures to protect the people.Pakistan’s Hotel industry entered in the emergency phase.Hotel industry undergone a disastrous decline.	Contingency Management	SafetyEmergency servicesLoss SharingRefunding or re-scheduling cancellationsIntense cleaning & its marketingProvide contactless servicesCSR activitiesClosely monitor marketing
Intermediate Late June 2020 the number of cases stabilized.Smart Lockdown.Tourism bans were lifted with strict SOPs.Hotel business started showing some early signs of performance recovery.The hotel industry shifted its focus from anti-pandemic to business restoration measures.	Rehabilitation	Damage assessmentBeginning of restorationModification in marketing
Recovery Beginning of July 2020 there came a significant decrease in the confirm cases.Domestic tourism recovered, but foreign incoming was dropped since most of the countries had closed their borders.The overnight rate of Pakistan’s incoming passengers declined intensely, the situation convincing the luxury & upper-class hotels to seek new markets & segments. Most of them focusing on domestic clients & offering reasonable rates & packages.Healing.	Restoring	Restoration of normal business operationsImprovement in customer services & other facilitiesExtensive advertising & campaigns Seek aid from government & insurance companies if required.Encourage mutual support with all stakeholders
Resolution As of 20 September 2020, the recovery rate in Pakistan positions at 95.6%.Domestic market is improving but the international global situation & mobility.Perhaps, 2021-2022, phase is expected to last for 2 years or more till discovery of vaccine & conclusion of the COVID-19	Discover new horizons Resolution or post disaster phase aims to ensure that adequate reflection critical examination of the lessons learned. There should be focus on day to day action with mind mapping for discovering the new horizons, since COVID-19 had caused enduring changes in customer preferences & consumption behaviors. Hence, hotels should identify those needs & develop state-of-the-art products e.g., concern for hygiene, health, & sustainability.	The hotels must renew services by reviewing & reconstructing existing products, marketing strategy, distribution channels, delivery methods, & consumption points.Develop Disaster Management Standard Operating Procedure

It is hoped that such an approach would lead to a better understanding of disaster planning, reduction & readiness & the development of suitable policies & initiatives from hotel enterprises to facilitate more effective management.

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in cooperation with the concerned authorities, has begun implementing the second phase of the gradual resumption of performing Umrah and visiting, as it received Umrah performers (citizens and residents) from inside the Kingdom.

 The second stage allows obtaining four types of permits, namely performing rituals of Umrah, performing prayers within Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah (the area between Prophet Muhammad’s grave and his pulpit), performing prayers inside the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and greeting the Prophet and his companions, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

 This comes in implementation of the royal directives to gradually allow the performance of Umrah and the visit, while taking necessary health precautions in response to the aspirations of many of Muslims inside the Kingdom or abroad to perform the rituals of Umrah and visit.

 According to the executive plan drawn up by government agencies, the second phase of the resumption of Umrah and the visit will witness greater numbers than the first phase, by 15,000 Umrah performers and 40,000 worshipers per day as a maximum, as citizens and residents will be allowed to perform Umrah up to 75% of the capacity.

 Each group will be allocated 3 hours only to complete the rituals of Umrah, the report said.

PESHAWAR: Under the auspices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, a tour of the historical sites of Peshawar, the oldest residential city in South Asia, was organized. The event was attended by women members of the Provincial Assembly, singer Laila Khan, Pashto actress Shazma Haleem and families.

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Pashto singer Laila Khan took part in a historic visit to Peshawar as a tourist ambassador who not only spent time with families but also toured all the historical places with them. The tour of the flower city of Peshawar started from the Museum Peshawar. The families were given a detailed briefing on Gandhara civilization, Buddhist archeology, sculptures and other antiquities, after which tourists visited Masjid Mahabat Khan, Heritage Trail, Sethi House, Gor khatri and the museums, temples, historical fire brigade and others located there.

Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority Capt. (Retd.) Kamran Ahmed Afridi was also present on the occasion. Talking to media, Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority said that Peshawar and especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be introduced as tourist destination. The purpose of organizing Peshawar City Tour is to visit the historical places here, to get information and highlight their importance.

In addition, such tours will soon be organized in the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to promote tourism in these districts as well. Today’s visit was attended by film industry, Pashto singer Laila Khan, members of the Provincial Assembly and others.

He further said that tour operators, travel agents and the private sector are working together for the promotion of tourism as the development of tourism is not possible without the cooperation of the private sector. During the historic tour, a traditional rabab music concert was also held at Sethi House for the families, after which the families and tourists were entertained with traditional food at the famous Food Street Namak Mandi.

The families participating in the tour said that such an entertaining and touring tour not only provides an opportunity for entertainment but also an opportunity to learn about the history of Peshawar, historical sites and much more. Such events should be organized regularly for the benefit of families and tourists. On the occasion of the historic city tour, special assistance was provided by Rescue 1122, District Administration, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Traffic Police and other departments.