CANBERRA - Authorities in Australia have announced the resumption of the visa process for Chinese group travelers, an official statement confirmed.
Don Farrell, the Minister for Trade and Tourism, announced on Monday that visa processing for the Approved Destination Status (ADS) travel scheme has resumed for the first time since the pandemic put travel to a halt across the world.
In a statement, Farrell branded the initiative as a major boost for Australia's tourism industry.
"The resumption of Chinese group tour travel will provide another welcome boost for Australia's hard-working tourism operators," he said.
"The Government has worked with industry to ensure we are well positioned to welcome back Chinese group tours, including putting in place the relevant agreements between both governments and industry for ADS visa processing."
"We look forward to welcoming more Chinese travellers to Come and Say G'day and experience the stunning scenery and world-class tourism experiences Australia has to offer."
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, China held the distinction of being Australia's primary contributor of international tourists. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it was indicated that in 2019, a substantial figure of 1.4 million visitors from China journeyed to Australia.
According to the minister, ADS visa holders spent approximately 581 million Australian dollars (373.3 million U.S. dollars) in the country in 2019, which is almost one-third of the total amount spent by Chinese visitors.
In a recent development, China declared the reinstatement of group tours to an expanded list of international destinations last month. Among the nations featured were Japan, Britain, the United States, and Australia.
As the social distancing protocols have been lifted across the world, travel seems to be recovering at a swift pace. Trave operators, the hoteling industry, and airlines are seeing unprecedented growth in the tourism industry which is a positive development in the backdrop of the fact that the sector bore the brunt of the pandemic for over 3 years.
Pakistani rupee remained stable against US dollar, and other currencies in the open market amid strong economic cues.
On Sunday, the US dollar was being quoted at 285.15 for buying and 287.95 for selling.
Euro moves down to 309.9 for buying and 310.5 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 359.4 for buying, and 360.05 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED also moved down to 77.45 whereas the Saudi Riyal drops to 75.82.
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 285.15 | 287.95 |
Euro | EUR | 309.9 | 310.5 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 359.4 | 360.05 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 77.45 | 77.6 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 75.82 | 75.97 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 187.72 | 188.22 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 759.94 | 767.94 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 209.99 | 210.49 |
China Yuan | CNY | 39.78 | 39.88 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 41.95 | 42.05 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 36.38 | 36.48 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.39 | 3.5 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.49 | 1.56 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 926.39 | 935.39 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 60.38 | 60.98 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 173.44 | 175.44 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.25 | 26.55 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 742.16 | 750.18 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 78.5 | 79.2 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 212.45 | 212.95 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 27.09 | 27.19 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 325.38 | 325.88 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.05 | 8.09 |
The price of gold increased by thousands of rupees due to an upward trend in the international market.
On Sunday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs219,800 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs188,450.
Meanwhile, single tola of 22 Karat gold costs Rs201,482, 21 karat rate costs Rs192,325 and 18k gold rate is Rs164,850.
Globally, gold prices hover at around $2072, gaining $32 on Sunday.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Karachi | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Islamabad | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Peshawar | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Quetta | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Sialkot | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Attock | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Gujranwala | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Jehlum | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Multan | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Gujrat | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Nawabshah | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Chakwal | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Hyderabad | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Nowshehra | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Sargodha | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Faisalabad | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
Mirpur | PKR 219,800 | PKR 2,730 |
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