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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The upscale hotel management company, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, opened today the iconic Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai, its third hotel in the United Arab Emirates, raising its portfolio to 67 properties globally. The five-star Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel offers guests a privileged location in which to enjoy Dubai’s world-class entertainment and shopping. The property is situated next to the landmark Ibn Battuta Mall, in…
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) joined the international community on World Tourism Day, which was held this year under the theme “Tourism and Biodiversity" in an attempt to raise global awareness about the importance of tourism and biodiversity, and in addition to highlight the role of sustainable tourism for the preservation of life on Earth. In this context, Dr. Taleb Rifai,…
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the extension of its existing codeshare agreement with Royal Air Maroc, the national airline of Morocco. This provides customers with access to more destinations in Morocco and West Africa. The new deal will allow Etihad passengers to travel from Casablanca to the Moroccan destinations of Agadir, Laayoune, Fez and Marrakech adding…
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will be inaugurated October 27, a day earlier than anticipated. The inaugural period will continue throughout november till December with the official launch of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, said general manager Claus Frimand. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is located on Yas Island, a 25km² destination, which is situated just 30 minutes and 50 minutes respectively from Abu Dhabi and Dubai Marina.
RAK Airways relaunches their airline with unbelievably low flight prices on their new routes to Jeddah and Kozhikode (Calicut). Ticket prices start from AED 10. RAK Airways said on Sunday it will restart flights on Oct. 10, after halting services in 2009, and will consider aircraft buys after a year, ruling out plans for an initial public offering at present. “We have an attractive business plan. We hope to…
The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) has said the ban on creams, gels and liquids will be lifted by 2012. New technology will be installed at all airport security checkpoints that can detect explosives in water bottles, make up and toothpaste. ICAO secretary general, Raymond Bnejamin told AFP that the ban on liquid items over security concerns will end in the next two years.
Abu Dhabi has signed a three-year deal to be the Premier Partner of World Travel Market (WTM), the premier global event for the travel industry, up to and including WTM 2012. Abu Dhabi plans to use its partner status to promote its expanding leisure travel proposition, which includes this October’s opening of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari Theme Park. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi opens on…
Dubai, September 2010: A new exciting restaurant concept, JoyBean Noodle Bar, will be launched by Dusit Princess City Centre Dubai on 01 October 2010. With a menu inspired by traditional Thai street food, cooked and served in a contemporary style, Executive Chef Poonsak Sumonratanakul, who is himself Thai, is realising a dream to serve some of his favorite traditional Thai dishes to Dubai’s discerning food…
The Hawaii Tourism Association (HiTA) attended the 5th Luxury and Leisure Travel Show in Moscow. This is the second largest event in Russia promoting outbound tourism for the lucrative Russian market. Hawaii was among the new stars at the event and received enormous interest both among trade professionals and consumer travelers. The limited number of brochures and material was given out within the first day of…
UK Tourism Minister John Penrose will make his most high-profile appearance yet at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry. Penrose, who was appointed Tourism and Heritage Minister following the creation of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in May this year, will join the panel of…
BANGKOK, Thailand - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Mahidol, together with Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm, graciously presided over the opening of “THAI’s 50th Anniversary, A Journey of Silk” Exhibition at Fashion Hall, Siam Paragon. Among the distinguished guests who attended this exhibition were Mr. Sophon Zarum, Minister of Transport, Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, Minister of Finance, and Mr.…
The judges have made their choice for the 2010 World Tourism Day (WTD) Photo Competition on the theme “Tourism and Biodiversity." Of the more than 500 photos received, 5 photos were selected as those that best captured the close relationship between biodiversity and tourism. The 2010 World Tourism Day Photo Competition has been a resounding success with over 500 photos entered from all around the world. Of…
Sandals Whitehouse European Village&Spa, located on Jamaica's beautiful south coast, is set to host travel and tourism’s biggest night of the year as the World Travel Awards brings The Americas Gala Ceremony to the Caribbean island resort on October 22. Leading travel companies, operators, and destinations from across North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean will be united under one roof as they battle…
Demographic change will have major implications for the tourism sector over the coming decades but also presents important opportunities. This is among the central findings of the recently published UNWTO/European Travel Commission (ETC) report on “Demographic Change and Tourism." The report sets out the main demographic trends worldwide and in major current and emerging source markets and describes how…
VANCOUVER, Canada - Winners of the 2010 World Routes Airport Marketing Awards were formally announced yesterday at the World Routes Gala Networking Evening at Rogers Arena (formerly known as General Motors Place), Vancouver, Canada. The awards included four regional categories: Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Top honors went to Brussels Airport in the European region and was awarded to Edmonton…
Belgian cooks served "Dinner in the Sky" at the event in Brussels on Thursday. The table accomodates 26 people and is suspended by a crane off the Atonium 50 metres above the ground. The event is organized by Events in the Sky group. "Dinner in the Sky" is one of the many events which they organize around the world. It is available for a session of 8 hours and can be divided or personalised according to the…
An increasing number of people from the Middle East are travelling for Healthcare to Singapore, and Crescentrating is now expanding its services to cater to this segment of travellers. Crescentrating has just announced that it is partnering with Wellcare Medical & Executive Concierge Services to offer Halal Friendly Travel & Concierge Services for Muslim Healthcare visitors to Singapore. With Singapore…
World Travel Market’s (WTM) buyers club, Meridian Club, has announced South African Tourism as its exclusive partner for WTM 2010. South African Tourism plans to use its sponsorship of Meridian Club, the leading club for the travel and tourism industry’s most senior buyers, to put the country at the forefront of the global industry. South Africa’s successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ has helped to…
Sharjah, September 20, 2010: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, set a new World record when one of its A320 aircraft flew 30,000 flight hours in six years. Air Arabia received special recognition from Airbus, and was awarded for its operational efficiency and the new world breaking record. “This award is an acknowledgement of Air Arabia’s…
This past weekend, the Pacific Islands Club Saipan hosted the 4th Annual International Point Break Challenge, inviting recent winners from the contest in Seoul at Caribbean Bay in August 2010. Co-sponsoring the event was PTC (Monster, Pepsi, Gatorade), DFS, Borderline, Delta Airlines, Triple J Wholesale, Quicksilver, BSEA Sunsports, Docomo Pacific, Tony Roma’s, Hard Rock Cafe. and PIC Saipan. Participants…
Relief Riders International (RRI), an adventure travel company that leads relief missions on horseback through the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India, has made the top 10 list of finalists for the 2010 United Nations NGO Positive Peace Awards. The award recognizes organizations that are contributing time and money to make a difference in the world through their support of local, national, and international NGOs…
WASHINGTON, DC – Southwest Airlines has purchased shares in the UATP Network becoming an active UATP shareholder effective immediately. Southwest is a current UATP merchant and accepts all UATP corporate cards in all sales channels. “Southwest continuously looks at ways to strategically grow the airline and by becoming a UATP shareholder we will position ourselves to enable new product offerings to the…
The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) has studied tourism effects in past Olympic cities and has identified several issues associated with previous Olympic Games, which have damaged inbound tourism to the host destination. The market for hotel rooms for the 2012 London Olympics appears to be distorted. ETOA members, who are responsible for tens of thousands of visitors a day in the UK tourism market,…
The University of Seychelles (UniSey) and the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) have signed an agreement that will further develop cooperation between the two institutions. The memorandum of understanding was signed at a ceremony in August at La Misere by the Academy’s principal Flavien Joubert and UniSey vice chancellor Dr. Rolph Payet. Guests at the ceremony included Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul…
