What will Traveling be Like in 50 Years

If we go back some 50 years and think about traveling at that time, it was more of either luxury or difficulty. Yes, we have had airplanes and other modes of transport since quite a few years now. It was easy and luxurious for the rich frequent traveler but a lay man found it to be extremely difficult. Why was that, because there was very little information available for a regular man.

Traveling has been becoming easier by  day and more people are willing to travel. It is changing from luxury to lifestyle with many low budget options available with all the information one needs. Travel will evolve and change in the years to come. It is fun to predict the future so let’s foresee how traveling will be like in the next 50 years.

There will be more to explore

People want to explore the world and are looking for programs to facilitate them. Just like traveling is increasing in general, the most remote areas that have not yet been explored or are in the initial phase of becoming a tourist spot, will increase in popularity.

Online information and reviews

With the e-commerce world growing, people will rely more on the information that is available online. There will be no agent or third party that will involve in planning your journey but you will be ahead of this. Even today, platforms like Jovago.comhave introduced a free gateway for people to choose their accommodation from thousands of options. This will expand exponentially in the coming years.

Increased budget friendly options

As the demand will increase, so will the supply. There will be more options that are low on budget as well as provide comfort. Increased competition on travel routes will encourage airlines to improve experience and decrease rates. To facilitate paperless travel, smartphone apps will be widely used like SkyScanner app, Careem app and Jovago app.

What else can we say, there is already a kind of restaurant that is based in the air, and we might have more of such restaurants or hotels in the near future. Passports might become obsolete, car trips may become air trips with cars having wings, and what not. What do you think about the future of traveling?

Myths About Traveling Within Pakistan

Pakistan is probably one of the most misjudged countries in the world. Most people fail to see what lies underneath the media reportage stressing on the challenges facing the country today. Not only outsiders but local Pakistanis also have created a pre notion of traveling within Pakistan as risky. If you are also one of those who think many times before planning your trip to explore Pakistan, this article is just for you.

There are quite a lot of myths attached to traveling within Pakistan. Keep reading to find the list of these misconceptions and the realities of travel and tourism in Pakistan.

1. There is nothing to see/do for a tourist

Pakistan is rich in high mountains, spectacular valleys surrounded by beautiful lakes, historical monuments and places, attractive hill stations and much more. Apart from the immense natural beauty, there are severalman made attractions like Patriata, Hingol National park and Khewra salt mines. Before you plan to head out to foreign countries, you must explore your country first instead of believing in the false fact that Pakistan has nothing in it for a tourist.

2. Pakistani people are hostile

We sometimes mistake to love our hometown/city more than our country and start comparing. We believe that people from a certain city are unwelcoming while we are the most hospitable people ever. Foreigners believe that Pakistanis are unwelcoming and aggressive. We need to acknowledge the fact that we are more than welcoming and we treat our guests very well. People throughout the country are true Pakistanis and we may differ in ethnicities, we are very much similar in several ways.

3. Pakistan is an unsafe and dirty land

Just because we have been the target terrorism a few times, people have associated Pakistan and its people as terrorists. If we were terrorists, we would harm others instead of our own homeland. You can most definitely travel freely in any area of the country. We are a country that facilitate and welcome tourists/travelers with an open and happy heart. Pakistan only lacks proper infrastructure which will be catered to very soon. It’s not dirty but beautiful like anything.

Apart from these myths that are absolutely not true, Pakistan has so much more to give to its people and tourists. Explore the beautiful spots, try the wide variety of Pakistani food, discover different cultures of the country and get a hang of the bounties that our country is blessed with. Be proud of your country and support tourism in Pakistan.

About Leepa Valley- The Mini Kashmir

Leepa valley is located in Azad Kashmir, at 105 kilometers distance fromMuzaffarabad. This valley is famously known as heart of Kashmir or the Mini Kashmir as it gives a perfect depiction of the heavenly beauty of Kashmir. It is covered in a blanket of white snow six months in a year and is only accessible between May and November. Even in summer, the valley has a pleasant, cold weather that is enjoyed by the tourists.

The valley is surrounded byhigh mountains that are covered with pine trees. The fascinating Leepa Valley consists of many villages, the most famous being Leepa and Reshian. All these villages equally contribute to the brilliant medley of patterns that this valley is naturally granted with. Leepa is also famous for its distinctive Kashmiri style architecture, mostly in the form of 3 storied wooden houses.

JOVAGO’S TOP 3 :

Ziarat 

Ziarat is a place that consists of a bunch of tombs of renowned saints and sits on the control line. Half of Ziarat is situated in Azad Kashmir while the back wall is in Occupied Kashmir. This place lets you get the closest to the control line. This place is worth the visit for sure as it not only provides peace to the mind but is a treat to the eyes too.

Dao Khan

This tourist spot is recognized for its flawless natural beauty. It is well known for its calm and peaceful environment. The place is approached by an unpaved road which is available from AJK Tourism department. If you want to experience panoramic views, this is the place you have been looking for.

Chananian

It is a village belonging to the Leepa valley and stands on an altitude of 2226 meters. This place is very welcoming with several accommodation options for tourists. If you are a fan of Kashmiri people, lifestyle and architecture; you must visit Chananian village on your trip to the Leepa valley.

TIPS :

Restaurants

The valley has many hotels and restaurants where you can enjoy Pakistani cuisine with the specialty being Kashmiri food.

Shopping

Reshain commercial shopping street is the most popular shopping area where you can easily buy warm clothes for winter as well as Kashmiri essentials to take home. There are several other different shops spread across the valley.

Hotels

You may easily find local hotels in Leepa valley near Chananian and Reshian Villages. You can also log on to Jovago.comthat has more than 120 hotel options in Azad Kashmir and you may select the one relevant to your location and other amenities.

List of top honeymoon hotels of 2015 by Jovago

A honeymoon trip is the most special and important voyage for a newlywed couple. The top things that people look for in a honeymoon trip are a romantic destination, pleasant weather, easy access to tourist spots and activities, comfortable stay and of course, a modest budget. Guess what, Pakistan is a country that has all that you want.

If you are planning a romantic honeymoon trip that has all the above mentioned attributes and is also easy on the budget, travel within Pakistan. Places like Murree, Shogran, Bhurban, Islamabad, Gilgit, Nathiagali and Kashmir are just a few to name. You will find the most spectacular views, pleasurable weather and various activities for a couple to dwell in.

Jovago has come up with a list of the most fervent hotels that are famous for honeymoon trips and are usually full of couples that come in for a romantic getaway. Let’s explore the top honeymoon hotels of 2015.

Lockwood Hotel, Murree

This country house style hotel sits upon a hill overlooking the valley, surrounding hills and luxuriant woodlands. It is the most preferred hotel in Murree amongst couples. With all the facilities you might require, they also have an in house restaurant where you can share a candlelight dinner experience together.

Canopy Nexus Hotel, Gilgit

Gilgit is one of the famous tourist destinations in Pakistan. If you are planning your honeymoon to Gilgit, consider Canopy Nexus hotel that stands amidst lush setting of the city. They have spacious, well decorated rooms that you and your spouse will adore.

Lalazar Guest House 2, Nathiagali

This hill station in KPK is the most picturesque destination. If you are the type who loves to explore and gaze at the natural beauty as well as enjoy it with your loved one, this is the place to be. Book your room at the Lalazar Guest House 2 for a relaxed stay. The guest house provides free breakfast too; Isn’t that appealing?

Jasmine Inn, Islamabad

Apart from the hill stations and valleys, planning a honeymoon trip to one of the romantic metropolitan cities is just as great an idea. Islamabad is beautiful, green, has remarkable sceneries, pleasant weather and many exciting monuments to visit. Jasmine Inn is a perfect representation of a romantic abode. It is just 15 minutes away from the airport and close to famous spots.

Cedarwood Hotel, Shogran

Have you ever visited Shogran? It is one of the most mesmerizing valleys surrounded by peaks, river/lakes and forests. Cedarwood hotel will make your stay in Shogran worth a while. Their spacious and well furnished rooms appeal to all the guests. Have an exclusive stay with your spouse on your honeymoon.

Which one of these hotels and destinations would you choose for your first romantic trip in 2016? Kudos to traveling within Pakistan!

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Suggestions from Jovago for Fresh Graduates

If you’re a high school graduate considering higher education, or a college graduate debating which occupation to choose, this article is perfect for you!

Pakistan’s national education is renowned, and four remarkable universities to consider are:

1. Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)

The Lahore University of Management Sciences is a private research university located in Lahore, Punjab. It was founded in 1984 and offers programmes in science, arts, humanities, business and managements sciences. It is one of the top 700 universities in the world and is a member of Association of Commonwealth Universities of the United Kingdom. Notable alumni feature MominaDuraid.

2. Agha Khan University (AKU)

The Aga Khan University is a private research university located in Karachi, Sindh. It was one of the first private sector universities to be founded in Pakistan in 1983. It was named after the famed philanthropist, Aga Khan IV.

3. International of Business Administration (IBA)

The Institute of Business Administration is an internationally distinguished, business school in Karachi, Pakistan. It was founded in 1955 and is the first South Asian school to be set up on the US-MBA model. The schools motto is ‘Leadership and Ideas for Tomorrow’.

4. National College of Arts (NCA)

The National College of Arts is located in Lahore, Punjab. It is the first art college in Pakistan and became an official university in June 2011. The main campus of the school is situated between the Lahore Museum and the town hall. Its motto is ‘Kasb-e-Kamal Kun Ke Aziz-e-JahanShavi’, translated to ‘Seek excellence in your work, so you can be admired by the world.’ Notable alumni feature Ayesha Omer and Ali Zafar.

For college graduates, the job options are diverse and widespread. Whether it’s fashion, travel, commerce or food, Pakistan has a variety of desirable jobs to offer.

Here at Jovago, you can choose to work in different sectors that offer you an experience of a lifetime. For example, in customer service, you learn how to communicate efficiently with clients and have a deeper understanding of what they desire. In PR and Marketing you learn how to build relationships and bring in more clients as well as refine your writing skills. HR is all about interacting with people who have diverse background and manage them.

Our advice for you, your dreams and aim for your satisfaction so you can prosper in your field of choice and be considered for promotions! Be honest with yourself and have realistic expectations so you know what to expect and easily achieve your goals.

Preview of Top 10 Famous Pakistani Blogs

As e-commerce is growing and spreading widely in Pakistan, there has been an increase in the number of blogs on fashion, lifestyle, travel, food, technology and more. Let’s look at the top 10 of such blogs that have made their mark in their respective field.

1.Geo Tau Aisay

Ever since 2009, Geo Tau Aisay has discussed different issues within Pakistan such as: politics, security, travel, games, economy, technology, or external issues round the world effecting Pakistan and Pakistanis directly or indirectly.

2. Phone world

Phone world is a website that mainly focuses on the IT & Telecom industry. Their objective is to play a vital role in this era of mobile technology since it has the power to connect people together for collective progress and socioeconomic development of the country.

3. Prolinked mag

The voice of web design began in 1994 delivering cutting edge practical advice on a full range of topics essential for today’s web builders: design, development, sales, marketing, usability and accessibility, information architecture, security, copywriting, advertising and more.

4. Pro Pakistani

Pro Pakistani is a blog that provides you with the latest happenings from Pakistan’s Telecom and IT Industry. Their mission is to objectively report with facts and figures, to inform and educate readers about anything that encircles Telecom and IT and to protect consumer rights.

5. Daily the Patroit

The chief publisher and editor is Sardar Khan Niazi. They post daily E-papers, covering national and international news about a diverse range of topics.

6. Shafaqna

Shafaqna is an international News agency that primarily focuses on publishing news covering almost everything. It began in 2012, and posts its articles in five different languages: English, Urdu, Persian, Arabic and Turkish.

7. Trending in social

Trendinginsocial.com as the name suggests is a blog which highlights trending topics in the world of social media. They are a group of tech savvy, fashion & arts & entertainment enthusiasts who cover the trending updates with beautiful piece of buzz worthy writings.

8. Paktech Insider

Since its inception in 2011, Paktech Insider has established a reputation for publishing exclusive and original content relating to Technology, Local Telecom, Education, Fashion and Entertainment Sports. It has not compromised on quality, becoming the most reliable source of 7^th Category News.

9. Shughal

Its advisors and contributors are situated throughout the Middle East, aiming to provide you with positive and inspiring content about Pakistan and a various variety of topics to brighten your day. These include fashion, entertainment, luxury, and people’s favorite local brands.

10. Daily Pakistan

Daily Pakistan is a news publishing website, constantly keeping you up to date with not only Pakistani news but also events that occur around the globe! In addition, they post articles revealing the hidden gems of Pakistan and its true beauty.

Jovago.com joins hands with Standard Chartered to promote tourism

Pakistan’s No 1 Hotel Booking website has joined hands with Standard Chartered to promote tourism

Karachi, the 10th of February 2016: Jovago.com, Pakistan’s largest Online Hotel booking website has partnered with Standard Chartered Pakistan to strengthen the tourism industry of Pakistan.

Always at the forefront of taking new initiatives, Jovago aims to make travel easy and affordable for tourists wanting to explore the beautiful sites of Pakistan. Through this partnership, all Standard Chartered cardholders can now avail 20 per cent discount on their hotel bookings when they book via Jovago.com. This is in line with Jovago’s objective to provide travelers with multiple payment options for increased convenience. Jovago and Standard Chartered together, will be able to boost the use of credit cards and online hotel bookings.

Nadine Malik, Managing Director of Jovago Pakistan said, “Jovago is the pioneer of online hotel booking in Pakistan and in one year’s time it has created a positive impact for tourism in Pakistan. We believe that this partnership will generate positive feedback, encouraging more people to travel within Pakistan.”

Commenting on this partnership Mr. Shezad Arif, Head of Retail Banking said, “Standard Chartered Pakistan, consistent with its brand promise of being Here For Good, is keen on building long term alliances with reputable partners, resulting in synergies and value addition for our card members. The added benefit to the credit and debit card offering is a tremendous achievement that reflects well on the work, commitment and success of both Jovago and Standard Chartered.”

 About Jovago

Jovago.com is an online hotel booking service with several offices in Africa and Asia founded by Asia Pacific Internet Group and has Rocket Internet and Ooredoo as investors. Jovago.com, Africa’s and Pakistan’s No.1 booking portal, facilitates the booking process for its users to provide them with the best hotel booking experience with fast, transparent and easy-to-use services. Jovago.com has over 25,000 local hotel listings across Africa and Asia and over 200,000 hotels around the world.

Surprise Your Spouse This Valentine’s Day

A husband and wife’s relationship cannot be confined to a single day. Marriage means more than living together for the rest of one’s life. It is about love, togetherness, good, bad, memories, events and happenings, compromises, agreements, disagreements and the strength that they provide each other in every step of life.

Valentine’s Day is one of the many occasions that can be celebrated to express the loving and caring bond a married couple shares. 14^thFebruary is just around the corner and all couples would want to make this day special for their partner. Celebrate the love you feel for your spouse by going out of your way to make it just perfect. It doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated but a thoughtful plan can be a great success. Jovago.com has come up with some ideas that might work great for you and your loved one.

 

Dedicate the day to surprises

You have the entire day to plan little surprises for your spouse. You can start by waking them up to their favorite breakfast followed a small gift that they would adore. Send them a bouquet of flowers at their workplace or home. Bake a heart shaped cake and present to them when they least expect it. Considering the little details is what makes everything special. You can never go wrong with surprises.

Take care of their work

Your spouse would love to hear the sentence, ‘you should take rest while I take care of your work’. Do their chores yourself and let them feel special. You are basically giving them a day off from their duties and nothing would be more special to get that leave from your loving partner.

Turn the house into a love zone

Some people don’t like going out but spending a warm and cozy day at home with no one else but their partner. This is your best opportunity to turn your house into a love zone. Decorate the house in red hearts. You can do this by using heart shaped cushions, scented candles, print your favorite pictures together, cut in a heart shape and hang them, play romantic music and enjoy the day.

Plan a surprise trip

This idea will definitely be a hit. For a couple, the best way to spend quality time together is to go on a vacation. This year, Valentine’s Day lies on a Sunday which means you have the weekend to yourself and you can easily plan out a mini vacation. Pakistan has many romantic locations like Murree,Neelum Valley, Bhurbhan and even metropolitan cities like Islamabad. You can log on to Jovago’s website to find great discounted deals on most romantic hotels in Pakistan.

Make sure that all these ideas stay a surprise for your partner and they don’t get a hint of it. No matter how big or small the surprise is, it’s the love, effort and pure dedication that really count.

Jovago’s tips on solving travel problems

If you’re a nervous flyer or suffer from Aviophobia (the fear of flying), we have a solution for you! 

1. Carry distractions with you such as novels, music or a friend. A new app called “Am I Going Down?” uses aviation statistics to analyze the odds a flight will crash. Download this prior to your flight and your worries should disappear!

2. Your wallet is stolen? Jovago can help solve this problem by saving you through online check-in’s and payments. This way, if you lose some money, you’ll still have paid for your stay!

3. You missed your flight? Stay calm and do not freak out. Converse with the airline politely and they will book you on the next flight available or accommodate you in a hotel. For future flights, keep a backup alarm and if staying at a hotel, ask them to remind you also!

4. Your hotel is disappointing? If you’re unsatisfied with your hotel, Jovago will find you the next best option with a better deal transforming your stay in seconds!

5. You’re unable to find a cheap flight? Check out Jovago’sarticle about top travel app’s to follow! One of our favorites is Sky scanner that will always help you search for the cheapest option.

6. Communication barrier? If you fear not being understood in a foreign country that could lead to problems, do not worry! Jovago ensures that local travel advisors help you find your best accommodation in your language.

7. Not being able to afford your vacation? This is a common problem that we have faced continuously, but has now been solved. Jovago will help you budget your trip, so you are able to stay in a cheap but luxurious hotel. Reviews on our website help you locate inexpensive places to dine and visit.

8. If I travel alone, won’t I get bored? Not at all! Jovago’s blog has covered monumental cities around           the world providing you with a list of places to explore. This ensures that your trip will be packed               with adventure, food and a culturally fulfilling experience

Need stressed for single digit sales tax to enhance tax base

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) organized a seminar on sales tax on services and inter-provincial harmonization. A large number of business community and tax professionals attended the event.

The event highlighted that after the passage of 18th amendment to the constitution, three provinces except for Baluchistan, have established their own tax authorities for collection of sales tax on services, however, the issues like overlapping between federal & provincial tax authorities and double taxation were creating problems for taxpayers. They were of the opinion that federal government should have drafted a framework within which provinces could tax services. They said without cross provincial consensus and inter-provincial harmonization on tax collection of sales tax on services, there would be issues of double taxation and excessive administration burden both on the businesses and tax authorities.

The experts observed that very high tax rates in Pakistan were promoting culture of tax evasion and government should focus on low tax rates for enhancing tax base and improving tax revenue of the country. The businessmen said that tax regime in Pakistan was very complicated with multiple tax rates as taxpayers were paying almost 10 different taxes in addition to many indirect taxes. They said businessmen wanted to pay tax, but high taxes and difficult tax system were the main hurdle in better tax compliance. They said government should simplify tax system and introduce single digit sales tax rate in order to attract more taxpayers into the tax net.

Atif Ikram Sheikh President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in his welcome address said that positive changes were happening gradually in the tax system and stressed that government should make tax policies in consultation with trade bodies by addressing their key concerns on tax matters.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury ACCA’s Head of Global Taxation, Arif Masud Mirza Regional Head of Policy MENASA ACCA Hammad Siddiqui Acting Country Director Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Muhammad Yasir Technical Advisor Tax Compliance FBR and others also addressed the event and called for simplified tax system. It was stressed that SMEs should also focus on improving their financial management skills to deal with tax matters more effectively. It was urged that educating taxpayers including SMEs on tax compliance was key to promote tax culture and improve tax revenue. Experts stressed that trade bodies across the country should play their role for improving tax compliance and minimizing informal economy.