Airline, airport, hotel, destination, visa, and Muslim travel updates from Irhal.
The 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.
Read full storyAbu 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.
Read full storyMalaysia 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…
Two hotels, three ways to stay, and one summer campaign inviting guests to choose their own scene across Paramount Hotel Midtown and Paramount Hotel Dubai
Sharjah Museums Offer an Integrated Summer Experience Blending Culture, Science, and Discovery for All Community Members
New 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.
Read full storyThe Red Sea destination is introducing new summer experiences for families and children, from stargazing and coral reef discovery to marine learning, sports activities and heritage crafts.
Read full storyChief Projects Officer at Shurooq, Khawla Al Hashimi, shares rare insights behind the icon commemorating Sharjah’s global recognition as a beacon of knowledge
Read full storyEscape to Sharjah Collection This Summer and Enjoy 30% Off
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The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), in collaboration with the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), started classification of hotels, furnished flats, and residential units, in accordance with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president of SCTA. The involvement of MCCI in this context is to enhance the partnership with relevant authorities…
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Spa Sokhna, a new five--star resort set on the beach at Ain Sokhna, on the Red Sea coast between Suez and Zafarana, about 90minutes drive from Cairo opened in Egypt. This is the third overseas property of Centara Hotels & Resorts after the openings of Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives and Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort, Centara Boutique Collection in India late 2009. The hotel…
JAKARTA - After successfully hosting the Indonesian annual travel mart, Tourism Indonesia Mart&Expo (TIME) or “Pasar Wisata Indonesia" last year, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, once again will be host of this year’s event. This Indonesian premier tourism event will be held on October 12-15, 2010 at Santosa Villas&Resort Lombok. Entering its 16th year of conduct, TIME is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Promotion…
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has invited its counterparts in different government authorities to collaborate with tourist guides who are officially licensed by SCTA in their official tourism trips inside the Kingdom, either for their affiliates or for their foreign visitors. The president of SCTA, HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman stated in a message sent to a number of government officials…
Being host nation of a major international event is a massive investment. The 2010 FIFA World Cup staged in South Africa is no exception. The world’s largest sporting event in terms of global fan following and media coverage required unprecedented levels of capital be committed. An estimated US$4 billion is estimated to have been channelled over six years towards (re)building, stadia, airports, transport and road…
LOS ANGELES, CA - For the second year in a row, Green Globe has certified Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, spa and nature park, recognizing their sustainable practices, conservation of the environment, support for local communities, and preservation of local culture. Located in Riviera Maya, Hacienda Tres Ríos is an exclusive luxury resort focused on green travel. Hacienda Tres Ríos has received the highest grades…
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is insisting that the European Commission re-examine compensation legislation following the Eyjafjallajoekull volcanic ash cloud earlier this year. Its demand comes as debate reignites around how much airlines and tour operators should be required to compensate passengers. “While passengers should certainly be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses, the fallout of the…
Multi-brand hotel operator CHI Hotels&Resorts announces that as from 1st October of this year it will be operating its second hotel in the highly popular Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt – The Ramada Plaza - Naama Bay – Sharm El Sheikh. CHI signed a 15-year technical services and management agreement with the owning El Salam Company for Tourism Development, led by its chairman, Mr. Salim Hamza El…
His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, received United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) secretary-general, Taleb Rifai, at the Royal Palace in Amman to discuss the strategic importance of the country’s tourism sector, as well as scope for further cooperation between Jordan and UNWTO. During the meeting, King Abdullah and Mr. Rifai discussed the profile of the tourism sector in the Middle East, one of…
KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia - Malaysia Airlines today announced Kota Kinabalu in Sabah as its Eastern hub, leveraging on the strategic location of the city as an ideal gateway to promote travels to and from China, Taiwan, North Asia, Indonesia, and Australia. The hub will be developed over 3 stages from November 15, 2010 to June 3, 2011, with Malaysia Airlines adding new international destinations and frequencies…
In an attempt to continue the great success of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities' (SCTA) initiative in providing marketing outlets to Saudi women artisans in collaboration with Abdul Mohsin Al Hokair Group for Tourism and Development, the 10th bazaar for Saudi women artisans was hosted at the Riyadh Gallery Mall in Riyadh. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Haz’a, director of training and vocational standards in…
Etihad Airways is providing additional flights between Pakistan and Jeddah during the Holy month of Ramadan. The extra services to Jeddah will operate until 12 September and build upon the 28 return flights Etihad currently operates every week to the Saudi Arabian destinations of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. The services – which will be operated by two and three class Airbus A330s and A320s – also open…
Interesting findings were revealed in a recent study on behaviour and attitudes of people during Ramadan. According to the study, the number of Muslim Arabs observing Ramadan this year is down by 2% (it was 98% in 2009) and 87% of Muslims prefer to celebrate Iftar with their families at home. Besides this, the survey results revealed that 56% of Muslims respond to the call to prayer for timings, 9% rely on…
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “As Qatar Airways grows exponentially, we are continuously improving our customer’s overall experience – even before they board a Qatar Airways’ flight.
London, UNITED KINGDOM – Qatar Airways has been honoured by leading aviation industry figures for its wide-ranging global environmental initiatives. The Doha-based carrier’s well documented move into the research of alternative jet fuel as part of an overall mission to secure a cleaner and environmentally friendly future, helped win it the Environment accolade at the annual Airline Strategy Awards held in…
MILAN, Italy – From February 17-20, 2011 the 31st edition of Bit–International Tourism Exchange will be held in Milan, which closed last February on a positive note regarding the future of the sector: over 5,000 exhibitors were present from 130 countries across 5 continents. Bit 2011 reconfirms its multi-target formula and its dual personality B2B and B2C - two features which over the years have led the…
This year, AlamKulKul Boutique Resort will be taking home the gold in recognition of its outstanding green efforts. The resort will claim its PATA Grand Award in the environment category at the Travel Mart awards ceremony on September 17 at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel. Jantung Hijau or Green Heart is an environmental awareness program first introduced to AlamKulKul Boutique Resort employees in early 2000.…
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) bagged the Excellence Award for its short film (Imagine) during Egypt's International Oscar Video Film Festival. The festival was held and organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in Alexandria, during July 8-11, 2010. Imagine entails Saudi Arabia’s natural resources, from its sandy beaches to towering green mountains, which attracts tourists and…
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Costa Rica, the world’s foremost leader in sustainable tourism practices, has begun to reap the rewards for its commitment to social and environmental preservation alike. The country’s philosophy to being at peace with humanity and nature have now set the stage for a country that is recognized internationally as one of the most stable, most ethical, one of the cleanest, and consequently,…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways Cargo has announced it will begin scheduled freighter services to Chicago, Illinois - its first dedicated freighter operation to the United States - from August 18. The new twice-weekly services will be operated with Qatar Airways’ new Boeing 777 freighters and will fly from the airline’s hub in Doha via Amsterdam. Payloads on the new services will be up to 100 tonnes per flight and…
2nd August 2010 - Al Jawhara Group of Hotels and Apartments, part of the UAE-based conglomerate S.S. Lootah Group, became the first hotel to receive the highest ‘crescentrating’ of seven for shariah-compliant services. The Singapore-based ‘Crescentrating’ is a new rating system that focuses on the halal travel market segment worldwide and rates hotels on a scale of one to seven based on the services and…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways has reached a milestone 20th Boeing 777 aircraft with the latest, a brand new B777-200 Long Range, arriving in Doha following a delivery flight from Seattle, Washington on Thursday. The new aircraft is the seventh Long Range Boeing in the airline’s fleet. Qatar Airways now operates a total of 20 Boeing aircraft including 11 Extended Range (300-ERs), seven Long Range…
BEIJING, China – Adventure sailor, Zhai Mo, will stop in Seychelles as part of plans to be the first Chinese man to solo circumnavigate the globe on a non-powered boat, he announced in Beijing earlier this month. Zhai Mo will call at Port Victoria in February 2012 as part of the “First Global Sailing Campaign by Non-Powered Sailing Boat Fleet” in Chinese history and also the first navigation route designed by…
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – The Costa Rica Tourist Board has announced the launch of its official Visit Costa Rica Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels, aimed at catering to the increasing demand for information about this small and peaceful Central American country. Through its new social media platforms, Costa Rica hopes to bring the experience a little closer to home for the more than one million visitors the…
