JOVAGO HOLDS WORKSHOPS TO FACILITATE HOTEL INDUSTRY IN PAKISTAN

Karachi, 10^th May 2016: Jovago.com, Pakistan’s leading Online Hotel Booking website, in its aim to promote tourism and create awareness about its services, arranged workshops in Naran, Murree and Muzaffarabad. The workshops were intended to serve as a platform to support the Pakistani tourism and hotel industry by sharing useful insights about the accessible hotel booking services in Pakistan.

The agenda of this workshop was to educate the hotel management about the importance of online hotel bookings, rise of e commerce and highly effective solutions to their problems observed by hotels. Jovago’s senior management and team also highlighted the impending pocket friendly offers for the upcoming travel season. The offers will ease the hassle of bookings and payments.

Talking about this event, the Country Manager of Jovago Nadine Malik said “Jovago.com is an entity that aspires to support tourism with its constant and endless efforts. Jovago believes in improving its services by focusing on the feedback from hotels and customers. We value our customers’ opinions and concerns and resolve them at our earliest”

Commenting on this, Shabila Maqbool, Marketing Head of Chinar Family Resorts said, “Jovago is playing an exceptional role to promote tourism and has made our lives much easier with their Extranet application as we now have full control of our property,”

The event was well attended by renowned hoteliers from the respective regions.

About APACIG

The Asia Pacific Internet Group (www.apacig.com) is a joint venture of Rocket Internet and Ooredoo. The group’s network consists of 14 e-commerce and online marketplace companies, operating across 15 countries. Since it was founded in 2014, APACIG has become the leading online platform in Asia, building top internet companies in the region.

About Jovago

Jovago.com is an online hotel booking service with offices in Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), Dakar (Senegal) founded by Africa Internet Group and has MTN and Millicom as investors. Jovago.com, Africa’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 20,000 local hotel listings across Africa and over 200,000 hotels around the world.

Complexities of unplanned traveling

A holiday trip takes lots of brainstorming and planning for it to be successful. This is usually because you have to stick to a specific timeframe, budget and other technicalities. However, there are several people who love to travel spontaneously without having to think of a suitable plan. These people are the ones who live for the sake of traveling the world and all the rest are the last priority.

No matter how interesting and amusing it sounds, spontaneous travel plans don’t always work out the way you think. If you do not do proper research before traveling, you might not know what you are in for. Not every country is a viable option for an unplanned trip. There can be visa problems, unsuitable weather conditions, peak season at hotels, etc.

Another drawback of not researching and planning beforehand is that you might miss out on the top tourist places. This can happen when you let your heart decide a particular place out of nowhere. Or on the other hand, you might find a place not worth visiting only because someone gave their personal review on it. One thing you must remember is that sometimes low expectations give the best experiences.

Another point to note is that many cheap budget hotels in small towns are usually not yet listed properly on major online hotel booking portals. So if you try to book online you will probably find only few expensive options. Even when listed, sometimes the photos of their luxury room with the rent of least expensive room are displayed aiming to mislead. Visiting in person gets you clear idea of what’s on offer and if it is worth. When we say that reviews are not the only aspect to rely on, here they can come handy too.

Jovago.com is the leading online hotel booking website in Pakistan with the widest range of hotel andguest house options, appropriate pictures, amenities filter option and customer reviews. Be it planned or unplanned, traveling is always an adventure in itself. What do you think about this, let us know with your comments.

About The Gujrat City

A part of Punjab, the Gujrat city lies between the two famous rivers of Pakistan, river Chenab and Jhelum. The city is rich in crops like sugarcane due to its close proximity to the rivers. The city has an ancient history that dates back to 326 B.C. It was ruled by different conquerors in different eras including Alexander the Great, Mughals and the British. This district has moderate climate, being hot in summer and cold in winter.

There are more than 5 languages spoken in the city like Majhi, Potohari and Urdu. It is popular in handmade pottery and ceramic items that are prepared in low temperature. Other famous things include handicrafts, flower pots, “Changairian” made by leaves of palm and date trees, cotton mates, “Dhusse” and woolen shawls. Gujrat, situated beside the grand trunk road and main Railway track is directly connected with the major cities.

JOVAGO’S TOP 3

Four Main Gates of Old Gujrat

When the city was constructed, it was bounded by four gates that are used in order to enter the city. The four main gates are Shah Daula, Dhakki, Sheeshiyan and Shah Faisal gate. These are very old and weary so it would be better to visit them soon.

Gujrat Fort

Situated in the heart of the city, the Gujrat Fort was built on orders of Mughal emperor Jalal ud din Akbar. It is a perfect depiction of Mughal art and architecture. It will surely fascinate those who admire Mughal art.

AkbariHammam (Akbar’s bath)

This bath was built to treat a special disease of Akbar’s wife. This special bath is still used by many people to get rid of many types of diseases. If you are a health conscious traveler, you might want to pay this place a visit.

TIPS

Restaurants

Flavors and Al-Khaleej restaurants are few of the popular eateries in the Gujrat city. Some of the must try Gujrati foods include Dhokla, Handva and Thepla. The popular Pakistani dish “Kadhi” originates from Gujrat.

Shopping

All the local things are widely available and very popular amongst tourists. Visiting Gujrat means buying lots of handicrafts and pottery for yourself and closed ones to take back home.

Hotels

You can easily log on to Jovago.com and search for several accommodation options and hotels in Gujratcity for a desirable stay.  Dewan-e-Khas and Midway Hotel provide comfort and are affordable.

See what it means to Being a Pakistani

Being a Pakistani, there are many things that come in mind when someone asks us to describe our home, Pakistan. We have a diverse cultural band with different norms but similar values. We share distinct ethnicities but have the same identity. Culture is the foundation of a civilized society, and we believe that Pakistan is the best personification of a socially rich country.

Let’s ascertain some of the characteristics that only belong to our country and depict the real Pakistan.

The green and white flag

Designed by Syed Amiruddin Kidwai, Pakistan’s flag was approved on the 11^th of August, 1947 by the Constituent Assembly. As Pakistan was coined for the sake of Islam and Muslims, the green section represents the majority of the Muslim population while the thinner white section represents minority religions in Pakistan, clearly displaying our tolerance for all.

Festivities

Apart from the religious festivals like Eid, Christmas, Holy or Navroze, there are several native festivals celebrated in Pakistan as well. These include:

• Basant which is very popular in Lahore
• The Sibi Festival which has its roots in balochistan
• MelaChiraghan from Punjab

And many others. The celebrations are also very unique, which is one way of defining our culture.

Rickshaws and mini buses

We bet you can’t find mini buses in any other country in the world. There are many kinds of rickshaws that are available all over but Pakistani rickshaws are one of a kind. The colorful patterns and mysterious quotes painted on our vehicles make them stand out.

Local food

Of course, how can we skip the best thing about every country? Each country has its delectable local delicacies and we believe that Pakistani cuisine is the best cuisine ever. The mix of spices and a ‘desi’ flavor to our food are hard to find anywhere else.

Passion for anything and everything

Be it the cricket fever or the love for a particular political party, we never fail to show up for our favorite players at a match or at a political procession. Even if it is the rivaling with the “other party” over wedding dances, Pakistanis compete passionately.

With several cultures, traditions, opinions and perspectives, every Pakistani is a unique individual. The best part, however, is that we are one under the name Pakistan.

See what it takes to Being a good passenger on flight

Have you ever traveled via an airplane before? If you have, then you must be aware of the process of getting onto the plane to getting out of it at your final destination. From boarding to exiting the flight, there is a list of steps that every passenger has to go through. The imperative part here is the correct mannerism of being on a flight that not only makes you an abiding passenger, but also be helpful towards fellow travelers.We have come up with a list of travel tips that, if adopted, will make your flight’s journey manageable and stress-free.

Follow the boarding rules    

A passenger cannot board the flight without a boarding pass and while there is a long line of passengers, make sure you have your pass in hand so you don’t have to search for it in your bag when your turn comes. Don’t get aggressive with the crew members, should you have any problems, ask politely. If you need anything, wait for everyone to get settled as the flight won’t take off before everything is under control and managed.

Cruising directions

We often tend to forget the basic directions of flying with an airline. These can be, forgetting to fasten seat belts, using the mobile phones during take-off or landing, trying to get into the already occupied toilet, blocking the aisle for others and taking a walk while the plane lands. Try not to be an annoying co-passenger to others. Put all your carry-on bags into the luggage cabin so you have enough space in your seat.

Avoid jokes and self-opinions

Joking about carrying weapons, terrorism or hijacking planes is to be avoided strictly. After all, anyone may take your joke seriously which will definitely put you in trouble. Do not pass derogatory comments about people’s ethnicities or traditions. Also, stay away from getting into conflicting discussions over politics, religion or delicate social matters. If you really want to strike conversations, keep it simple and preferably generic.

There are many other travel etiquettes that a traveler should follow regardless of the type of transportation or expedition. Some extra tips from us include, don’t have loud conversations that disturb others, don’t shove others to get out of the plane faster, take care of your belongings and be a responsible traveler by informing others if they leave behind their stuff, don’t call the crew members for fun (do so only if you need help) and most importantly, stay safe!

Preview of The Most Eco-Friendly Airports in the World

With rapid modernization and the race to cope up with the super advanced and technological world, we have forgotten the utmost importance of nature. It is that time of reality where machines are taking over the beautiful Earth, and we simply give in. We are failing to work towards sustainability and instead are letting our everyday lives to be mechanized.

No matter what it is about, it should be evoked that the ecosystem and nature is what dictates our existence. The better the environment, the better lives we can have. However, the world today is absolutely the opposite of it. Even if it is about traveling to explore a place, it is more about the amusement parks with machine run rides, tall and modern buildings/hotels to live in, or innovations in food to experience. People are least interested in the natural beauty while adore the manmade advancements instead.

It is our responsibility to give back to the Mother Earth that has and is giving us so much. Apart from the technological advanced and modern airports around the world, there are a few players that have adopted eco-innovations and are leading the way in sustainability. Find out the details below.

Changi International Airport in Singapore

The Singaporean airport is not only technologically ahead but leads the way in eco-friendliness too. It comprises of indoor gardens, rainwater harvesting, a butterfly garden and a nature’s trail, making it a green and eco-loving airport. You will find more than 900 skylights that are used to cut down on electricity.

Pearson International Airport in Toronto

This airport in Toronto is pioneering a cool new mode of sustainability by introducing a honeybee beehive to help support food security and farming in the area surrounding the airport.

Denver International Airport in USA

Denver International Airport has installed four solar groups, making its total solar capacity up to 10 megawatts, the most of any American airport. These arrays can produce enough electricity to power 2,000 plus homes every year.

East Midlands Airport in U.K

Ever heard of an airport to generate electricity from wind energy? The East Midlands Airport has two commercial-scale wind turbines installed to produce 5% of the airport’s electricity. The airport has been attaining “carbon-neutral” ground procedures since the past four years.

One of the benefits of staying at airport hotels in the mentioned airports is that one can enjoy the beauty of nature and modern architecture at the same time. We believe that the government of Pakistan must also emphasize on eco-friendliness at the new Islamabad airport.

University of London Launches Masters in Professional Accountancy in collaboration with ACCA

Lahore, 3^rd May 2016: ACCA and the University of London have joined hands to offer the first ever world-class Masters programme integrated with a prestigious professional qualification and held a launch event in Islamabad.

This ground-breaking Masters programme will be made available to ACCA students and members around the world. This marks the first time an accountancy body has joined with a university to enable students across the globe to gain a Masters’ degree and a professional accountancy qualification at the same time.

The Launch Ceremony was held in Serena Hotel Islamabad. The event was attended by the Chief Executive and Pro Vice Chancellor( International )University of London International Programmes Dr Mary Stiasny ,  Mary Bishop , Director Learning ACCA , Stuart Dunlop , ACCA Regional Director MENASA , Saad Wasim , Country Head University of London International Programmes Pakistan & Bangladesh , Sajeed Aslam , ACCA Head Pakistan , Rehan ud Din , ACCA Head of Education MENASA along with renowned Educationists including Faisal Mushtaq , Khadija Mushtaq , Walid Mushtaq , Dr Neelam Hussain,  Heads of Regulation Authorities  ,Key Employers and a large number of ACCA Members , Affiliates and  University of London Alumni.

Speaking at the ceremony, Stuart Dunlop, ACCA’s Regional Director MENASA highlighted, “We are delighted to be the first professional accountancy body to be able to deliver this type of programme, meaning ACCA now directly offers choice from a complete suite of professional and academic qualifications. ACCA has a long history of working with academic partners and is proud of the opportunities these partnerships offer to our students and members.”

Saad Wasim, Country Head for University of London, in his keynote address stated, “‘The University of London has pioneered with academic excellence for the last 150 years and has always had a tradition of innovation and it gives us great pleasure to announce that we have joined forces with such a well-respected professional association, ACCA, to now deliver this Masters programme for its students, Members and Affiliates. He highlighted the benefits of achieving the Masters in Professional Accountancy and felt it would definitely help in one’s career progression” 

Commenting on the news that an ACCA student or member will have the opportunity to undertake a reduced number of modules to achieve a Masters qualification, Dr Mary Bishop, Director Learning, ACCA said, “Through ACCA’s strong global relationships, we know that employers in many markets place a very high value on finance leaders having both a professional and a Masters qualification. We also know ACCA’s flexibility and portability are big factors for students when making their decision about which path to take, and ACCA, and the University of London have just increased that access and flexibility.”

Dr Mary Stiasny, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) and Chief Executive of the University of London International Programmes described the partnership between the University and ACCA as beneficial to students all over the world who are pursuing the ACCA Qualification. She also said, “It offers ACCA members and the thousands of new students the option to enrich their learning journey by obtaining a Master’s degree from one of the most prestigious universities in the world.”

The design of the Master’s degree in Professional Accountancy has been customized with two pathways for both ACCA students and its Members/Affiliates wishing to grow in their careers.