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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Air Arabia, the first and low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced the launch of a regular bus service, the Air Arabia Express, for passengers commuting from Dubai. The service will operate between the Flora Deluxe Hotel Apartments in Dubai, Deira, and Sharjah International Airport. The Dubai-Sharjah route will operate from 03.00AM to 01.00AM, and the Sharjah-Dubai route will operate from…
Emirates Airline has announced the launch of a direct non-stop service to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the capital city of Buenos Aires in Argentina as of January 3, 2012.
Royal Falcon Airlines announced regular flights to Medina at the rate of two flights a week, as stated by the Jordan News Agency. Director General and Executive Chairman of RFA, Captain Ziad Hnandp, told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Wednesday that the decision to launch flights to Medina came after extensive economic feasibility studies, indicating that the launch of the service came in light of the…
There has been a decline in the number of passengers through Bahrain International Airport during the month of January from 731 thousand in 2010 to about 696 thousand passengers this year, according to Al-Wasat newspaper. Travel is expected to increase over the next few months. This year has experienced an improved economic condition compared to the last year, and other threats such as security in the region,…
Certo Italian Restaurant at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City is celebrating Easter with a special menu on 24th and 25th April 2011. Chef Matteo created a delicious 4 course menu, offering a delightful combination of traditional Italian Easter specialities and a special dessert served during the Easter period all over Italy. In Italy, Easter is traditionally celebrated with a sumptuous feast on…
Tourism has been identified by more than half of the world’s poorest countries as an effective means to take part in the global economy and reduce poverty. To maximize tourism’s role in helping countries reach their development goals, UNWTO has come together with seven UN agencies and programmes to boost tourism as an instrument for development.Tourism is increasingly a major, if not the main, source of growth,…
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced that its Sheraton brand continues to lead the company’s global growth and strengthen Starwood’s position as one of the largest international hotel operators in China. Twenty-five new Sheraton hotels will open this year, including 16 in cities across China. Sheraton will also lead Starwood’s future global expansion and represents 30% of the…
These days, multi-tasking technology is commonplace for travelers. A watch doesn’t just simply keep track of time, and a cell phone doesn’t only make calls. Now a bus ticket in Los Angeles is multi-tasking by delivering riders to the top museums and attractions, then affording them a discount. Starline Tours, operators of the CitySightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Double Decker buses, has introduced the “Show and Save”…
Aleppo, SYRIA – Award-winning Qatar Airways today began operations to the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, marking the carrier’s historic 100th destination. Flight QR430 arrived from Doha to the key economic gateway city to a water salute and airport ceremony. On board the maiden flight to Aleppo was Qatar Airways’ Senior Vice President Commercial Ali Al Rais, who led a delegation, including Mr. Bashar Samara,…
Dubai Festival City canal waters will be set alight this weekend for the Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival which takes off on April 8 and 9. Apart from the boats going head to head in the racing event, the festival promises to be a riot of colour with activities planned to make the event a perfect getaway for the entire family this weekend. The festival will include activities both on and off the water,…
The ninth edition of the Sharjah Heritage Days was launched on Sunday, and events and other cultural activities will take place throughout the first weeks of April, ending on April 18. The festival runs under the slogan, "Inspired by Heritage," and will be held for 16 days throughout the emirate, including Sharjah city, Al Hamriya, Al Dhaid, Khorfakkan, Kalba, Wadi Al Helou and Maleha. "Through such…
The Hotel Show, the region's premier tradeshow for the industry, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 17-19 May 2011, will focus on sustainability and technology this year. Organizers expect this years' show to be as successful as the last, in spite of the recession that has hit much of the world, and the political turmoil in the Middle East. "Despite macro-economic indicators, there is…
Oman Air and bmi have announced a codeshare agreement that will allow Oman Air’s customers to book flights from Oman’s capital of Muscat to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Belfast or Manchester, via London Heathrow. bmi’s customers will be able to book flights from any of the airline’s UK departure points through to Muscat. The codeshare agreement will come into effect from 1st April 2011 and customers will be able…
Suisse Hotel International announced it has signed a management agreement with the Sardar Inafistmint Pty Ltd. - one of the Sardar Group of Companies, to manage the international four-star hotel in the city of Erbil in Iraq.
Emirates has given a new meaning to the expression 'Time flies' with its plans to launch flights to the "birthplace of watch making" - now just eight weeks away. Geneva will be added to the airline's European route network from 1st June. Last night, more than 600 guests from the travel industry and the city's wider business community attended a high profile road show event in Geneva as an introduction to the…
For the second time in its three years of operation, Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire stole the show at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2011. Reflets retained the title of Best French Restaurant in Dubai, regained the title of Best European Contemporary Restaurant in Dubai, and became the second restaurant in the history of the awards to win Best Restaurant overall twice. Winning a Time Out Dubai award is no…
The five-star luxury hotels group from London, Dorchester Collection, has announced plans to establish its first hotel in the Middle East in the State of Qatar. According to the Qatari newspaper, Al Arab, the Chief Operating Officer of the Group Francois Delahaye is currently negotiating with country officials to build a huge hotel in the Dafna area, featuring more than 120 apartments, 40% of them suites and one…
The General Authority for Civil Aviation Saudi predicted the number of passengers to King Khaled International Airport will be 48 million passengers a year by 2038, prompting the authorities to prepare a draft detailing the comprehensive development of the airport. They have also chosen to abandon the idea of re-planning Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport to raise the capacity of airport capacity…
Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airlines said the company's revenues are reduced by 3 to 5% because of unrest in the Middle East and North Africa. Clark added that Emirates had succeeded in turning planes away from the turmoil sweeping the region and expects to recover in the Japanese market also. Clark said in an interview with Reuters, "We realize that this is not a transient event and that it will…
MAF Dalkia Middle East has won a contract with the Department of Civil Aviation Authority to run the maintenance for the facilities at Sharjah Airport. The company will handle all electronics and communications engineering, electromechanical engineering, sanitation, air navigation systems and runway lighting works, according to Emirates News Agency. Abdul Wahab Mohammad Rumi said that the signing of the…
Austrian authorities have agreed to increase the number of flights operated by Emirates to Austrian cities' starting from their summer schedule 2011. Authorities confirmed that they are committed to a good relationship between the two countries. This decisions came during after a meeting between the Austrain Civil Avaition Authority in Vienna and the delegation from the General Authority for Civil Aviation,…
SAPTCO, the Saudi Public Transport Company recently added 150 Mercedes buses worth a total of 176.3 million riyals to their fleet. The company will receive buses in three batches, where each batch has 50 buses. The first installment is expected during the month of September and the second installment in the month of October. The third and final installment is to come in next year, March 2012. The company…
Union, the developer of the trains and the main operator of the national rail network in the UAE, has announced the details for the upcoming railway project to connect the UAE, including details for the stages of implementation time. The company said the first railway project will be launched in 2013. The company will transfer the first shipments of grains of as of today, including sulfur from its source in the…
The Road and Transport Authority of Dubai has launched a main operation centre to control all train operations in the Rashidiya area. It includes all the technical systems involved in running the train, as well a centre for the training of cadres in the operations of Dubai Metro. Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO pointed out that the establishment of this center was in accordance to international technical standards. The…
