Airline, airport, hotel, destination, visa, and Muslim travel updates from Irhal.
The airline marks Philadelphia as its 14th destination in North America NEW YORK, NY, USA – Qatar Airways has reconnected Doha and Philadelphia with the launch of a daily non-stop flight between Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), its 14th destination in North America, which resumed on 1 August 2026.
Read full storyThis summer, Central Shopping Centers invites international visitors to experience the best of shopping, dining, and leisure with Summer Holiday 2026, running from 20 July – 30 September 2026. Created exclusively for international tourists, the campaign offers shopping privileges across Thailand’s five world-class shopping malls: centralwOrld, Central Park…
Read full storyThe Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board, in cooperation with tourism associations, have launched the integrated digital platform "Ahlan Jordan" as part of measures to support the tourism sector and address the impact of regional circumstances on travel activity.
Read full storyflydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has increased its daily operations between Dubai and Naples and is set to boost its flights to Milan-Bergamo to a double-daily operation from 31 July, enhancing passenger connectivity to Italy.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – July 28, 2026: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced that Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a museum of modern and contemporary art, will open its doors on 11 December 2026 at Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the region's largest indoor theme park, is inviting guests to place themselves in the hands of one of DC's most iconic Super-Villains, as Kryptonite Collider officially opens.
Malaysia Retains No. 1 Position in Global Muslim Travel Index 2025, Offering GCC Travellers a Summer of Festivals, Culture and Discovery.
The Dubai-based carrier announces the start of daily flights to Aleppo from 20 July, reaffirming its connectivity to opening underserved markets Aleppo becomes the carrier’s second destination in Syria alongside Damascus
What if the most valuable thing you brought home from a trip wasn’t an object, but a story? Northern Thailand is home to dozens of ethnic communities who have carried their identities across mountains and borders for centuries – and many of them welcome curious, respectful visitors.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today launched the search for the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World, a global initiative designed to identify and celebrate the landmarks and buildings created since 1801 that have had the greatest impact on Travel & Tourism, local communities and economic development, and continue to redefine the future of destin…
Luxury travel today is no longer measured by how much you can see in a few days, but by how deeply you can experience a destination. At Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort, guests are invited to embrace this philosophy through Long Stay Beach Escape, an exclusive package designed for travelers who wish to enjoy more of Phuket's culture, wellness, and f…
Read full storyTwo hotels, three ways to stay, and one summer campaign inviting guests to choose their own scene across Paramount Hotel Midtown and Paramount Hotel Dubai
Read full storySharjah Museums Offer an Integrated Summer Experience Blending Culture, Science, and Discovery for All Community Members
Read full storyNew five-day programme empowers young people to build confidence, resilience and lifelong skills while embracing active lifestyles
Read full storyAcross Five Museums with Interactive Museum Programmes Enriching Children’s Knowledge
Read full storyOceans of Lights Festival returns to SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi in its third edition to offer a summer program full of activities and new experiences
Read full storyJuly 2026, Yerevan, Armenia: Armenia has extended its temporary visa-free entry arrangement, keeping the country within easy reach for eligible travellers from across the Gulf for a further year. The arrangement now runs until 1 July 2027.
Read full storyJuly 2026, Yerevan, Armenia: The competent Armenian authorities announced the extension of the temporary decision exempting eligible travelers from GCC countries from prior visa entry for an additional year, making the decision effective until July 1, 2027. This decision aims to facilitate travel procedures and tourism movement and exchange between Armenia and the Arab Gulf region, allowing travelers…
Read full storySet within Khalid Lagoon, the island shows how Sharjah brings art, nature and design into everyday public life.
Read full storyBlending cultural discovery with elevated wellness and leisure experiences, World of Hyatt summer destinations offer GCC travelers seasonal getaways across the GCC, Africa and Europe.
Read full storyAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – June 30, 2026: Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi has officially been awarded the Guinness World Records™ title for the most waterslides in a waterpark, featuring a record-breaking collection of 55 slides.
Read full storyExperience the Colours of Malaysia at Citrawarna 2026 This Summer
Read full storyGermany is an ideal destination for friends traveling together, thanks to its creative neighborhoods, vibrant markets, street food culture, and stunning natural retreats
Read full storyFollowing the launch of its first collaboration in 2025, the Jacquemus brand returns this summer to the Monte Carlo Beach Club with a new design that reimagines the coastal atmosphere with a contemporary spirit. The design evokes the spirit of 1950s beach clubs, where elegance meets the calm Mediterranean lifestyle.
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Fancy a sand based exfoliation, or a rose steam bath, or a honey massage, or a zero gravity experience? These exotic spa treatments and many more are all available to the discerning traveler who is willing to get pampered at any one of 20 Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts around the world that are introducing new spa treatments with a local flavor. Here is a sample of what to expect at 10 luxury spas around the…
Situated on Yas Island, a $1 billion Warner Bros. themed park and the world’s first Warner Bros. branded hotel is set to open in Abu Dhabi in 2018. Construction is underway and rides are in production. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will bring together stories and characters from the studio’s unparalleled portfolio of DC Comics super heroes, including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, as well as Warner…
Adelaide today welcomed the first Qatar Airways flight to arrive at its international airport from Doha, Qatar. The inaugural flight was greeted by a delegation of VIPs including South Australia's Minister for Tourism, Hon. Leon Bignell. Adelaide is the fourth city in Australia to be served by Qatar Airways, which has been flying to Melbourne since 2009 and also now flies to Perth and Sydney. Qatar Airways is…
The Elaf Group of Saudi Arabia has revealed its successful participation at the recently concluded edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2016) in Dubai. The group showcased its hotels located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially its properties in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah - catering to visitors performing their Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The company also showcased its current range of travel packages…
Emirates today (May 1 2016) expanded the network of destinations served by its flagship A380 aircraft with the launch of new A380 services to Taipei and Prague, becoming the first and only airline to operate an A380 into these two cities. The A380 service from Dubai to Taipei landed at 16:50 local time and the second A380 service launch today landed in Prague at 13:25 local time. Both aircraft were greeted by…
Saudi Arabian Airlines will increase its flights between Saudi Arabia and Los Angeles from three departures a week to five from June 1st. This is in anticipation of increased demand during the peak season and in keeping with its continued expansion in its services in North America and elsewhere. The national carrier of Saudi Arabia operates new B777-300ERs to its North American gateways that include New…
The United Nations and BMW sponsored Intercultural Innovation Award was presented to the "Give Something Back to Berlin" community initiative that was launched by Annamaria Olsson, the Swedish journalist who now calls Berlin her home. "Give Something Back to Berlin" was a spontaneous idea that developed into a project platform and network which mobilizes and enables Berlin’s newcomers from all over the world to…
Emirates won the coveted ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ title, the Airline with the Best Economy Class, and Airline with the Best Cabin Staff awards at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2016 which were presented at a gala dinner attended by travel industry professionals, and were chosen through a voting process open to the readers of the Business Traveller magazine. Representing the airline at the Business…
The largest travel industry event in the Middle East – Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – will start tomorrow, April 25 2016. At the inaugural press conference held today at The Address Hotel, Dubai Mail, the organizers of the event expressed their confidence in the region’s tourism sector. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Tourism, said that the opening of new theme parks in Dubai and the focus on mid-market visitors will…
With more than 2 million overnight stays by GCC tourists in Germany in 2015 and a growth of 18% over the previous year, German cities are becoming popular tourist destinations for GCC tourists. And Maria Amaral, Director of the Marketing & Sales Office of the German National Tourist Office in the Gulf region is busy promoting Germany’s natural beauty, its lakes and forests , its horse riding trails as well as its…
The world’s largest man-made safari park has opened its doors today in Al Ain, giving visitors a chance to closely observe more than 250 animals in their natural habitat. The Al Ain Safari at Al Ain Zoo extends over 217 hectares – the size of 304 football pitches. Looking out the windows of the tour vehicle, seeing only wild animals among grass and sand, with mountains in the distance, it is easy to forget…
Last year, over 7 million Emirates passengers travelled to and from the GCC, Middle East and North Africa. Catering to its growing customer base in the region Emirates offers international travelers a taste of Arab cuisine inspired by the 18 cities that it serves in the GCC, Middle East and North Africa. Over 100 regionally inspired dishes are served onboard Emirates flights across the world. Popular dishes like…
Luxury lifestyle property, ME Ibiza, one of the island’s hottest hotels, will re-open for its third summer season on 3 May 2016, with a host of new music and art events. Located on a secluded bay near Santa Eulalia on the East coast of the island, ME Ibiza has minimalist Ibiza-inspired interiors with spacious design that complements the stunning sea views. The hotel’s ambiance is the perfect balance between…
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company revealed its first hotel in Hungary, with the much-anticipated opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest. Located in the heart of the cultural and shopping district, the property is literally on the doorstep of Budapest’s heralded historic sites and minutes away from the glittering Danube River. “It is an absolute privilege to open the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in Hungary,”…
To accompany the world’s only 7-star hotel, Dubai has constructed the world’s first 7-star airport terminal. As part of the emirate’s vision as the aviation capital of the world, and the Expo 2020 master-plan, the newly built VIP Terminal at Dubai South saw its first flight take off. The private jet, carrying 13 passengers, was an important milestone for Dubai’s aviation history, as Khalifa Al Zaffin,…
In the US Senate a vote on regulating minimum airline seat width and pitch was rejected as the majority of lawmakers felt that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should not be responsible for setting minimum size limits on seats and leg room. Senator Chuck Schumer who was pleading the case for regulation could not muster enough support despite a valiant "Leggysburg" address. "The great Abraham Lincoln…
The 150 years old Hotel Schweizerhof Bern has been the leading hotel in Switzerland’s capital city, attracting a demanding clientele from all over the world. The five-star superior hotel is now celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2016 after its reopening in 2011. “We are delighted to be celebrating our 5th anniversary in April, along with our attendance at the Arabian Travel Market 2016,“ says Iris Flückiger,…
France, Turkey, USA and Spain round out top five destinations as Preferred Hotels & Resorts reports 21% growth in outbound bookings from Middle East Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest global provider of sales, marketing and distribution services to independent luxury hotels, has announced that room nights from outbound business originating from the Middle East region increased by 21% in 2015, when…
If you are not already in Hong Kong, you are missing out on the 41st Hong Kong Rugby Sevens - the biggest rugby event in the sporting calendar. Since 1976, Hong Kong has been host to an event in which teams from the world's leading rugby playing nations compete in lightning-fast 15 minute matches in front of 40,000 screaming fans. HKSevens week which started with a kickoff concert featuring David Hasselhoff will…
The Dubai World Trade Centre Arena was transformed into a magical Disney theatre as hundreds of families attended the opening of Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Music Festival on April 6 2016. An all-star line-up of more than 25 Disney characters including the fab four Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy took theatre-goers down memory lane, performing some of Disney’s greatest songs from the…
The city with the magnificent fortress featured in Game of Thrones is now just one stop away courtesy Turkish Airlines. Starting May 1 2016, Turkish Airlines will be flying three times a week from Istanbul to Dubrovnik, their second destination in Croatia after Zagreb. According to Turkish Airlines, flights to Dubrovnik from Istanbul will cost $99 while the return flight will cost Euro 99. The next time you…
If you are planning a family vacation consider going to the Maldives. It has great beaches, Halal food, water sports and some spectacular marine life. Something for everyone in the family to enjoy. 1. In the Maldives you will find pristine, white sandy beaches that are a joy to see. Kids will love to make sand castles on the beach. Adults can enjoy lazing in the sun - there are many resorts with huts that…
Wonderful Indonesia will be the Headline Sponsor for 2016 at The World Halal Tourism Summit 2016 (WHTS16), which takes place during the International Travel Week from 22–23 November in Abu Dhabi. The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia will promote their Halal and family friendly tourism packages during the summit which will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The summit…
If you are planning a trip to Zurich this summer it is best to get there in time for Kreislauf 4+5 which is a collection of funky art, design and creativity all put on display in Zürich’s unique design district along Langstrasse. From 27 to 29 May, 101 shops and artist's workshops offering furniture, home accessories, jewelry, shoes and fashion will be participating at the Kreislauf 4+5 – now in its tenth year -…
