Search

Australia resumes visa processing for tour groups from this country as Covid subsides

06:33 PM | 25 Sep, 2023
Australia resumes visa processing for tour groups from this country as Covid subsides

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. 

Advertisement

Pakistani rupee remains stable against US dollar, Euro, Pound and other currencies

Pakistani rupee remained stable against US dollar, and other currencies in the open market amid strong economic cues.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

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.

Today’s currency exchange rates in Pakistan – 3 December 2023

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

Gold prices increase in Pakistan; check out today gold rates in Pakistan - 3 December 2023  

The price of gold increased by thousands of rupees due to an upward trend in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 3 December 2023

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.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

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

Advertisement

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Sign up for Newsletter