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 government of the United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with the government of Seychelles to fund the construction of a new Seychelles Coast Guard base on Ile Perseverance, in a project worth US$15 million. The new Coast Guard base will be equipped with a coastal radar system and radio communications equipment, which will be backed up by radars positioned over several islands. The UAE has also…
July 15 - A hotel operator is launching a chain of hotels in Dubai that will offer an allergy-free environment, full digital connectivity and ‘steam-free mirrors’ in washrooms — among other benefits, with an average price tag. Auris Hotel Management, launched in 2008, is opening three new properties, some of which will change the way hotels serve guests. Hatem Gasmi, a Tunisian hospitality veteran,…
The Ministry of Health will not make it imperative for all pilgrims and visitors to Saudi Arabia to be vaccinated against swine flu during the Haj and Umrah seasons. "This is no longer required for pilgrims or visitors," undersecretary of the ministry Dr. Ziyad Mimish said on Tuesday. He recalled that the ministry had recommended to the Ministry of Haj last year that Haj and Umrah visas should only…
July 15 - The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Ras Al Khaimah shut down three travel agencies in the emirate for selling false air tickets to six families. The families had paid around Dh56,000 to these travel agents early this month, to reserve and issue them air tickets to Tunisia. Hamad Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of the DED said the outlets were shut down after the department received…
July 15 - The Lebanese Pragma Group will invest $100 million (Dh367 million) in the Palladium in Dubai Media City to transform it into a holistic lifestyle venue coupled with a boutique hotel. “We’ve been searching for a venue for over a year to become a forum for holistic lifestyle concepts, including entertainment and sports. The Palladium’s space and location represented 90 per cent of what we were…
July 15 - The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and tourism department of Egypt will work together to develop the tourism sector in India. Vipul Mitra, tourism secretary in the government of Gujarat, met with officials from the Egypt International Tourism Board at a road show in Bangalore to promote tourism in Gujarat. Tourism secretary of the state and the official of Egypt tourism in India also…
July 14 - Bahrain's tourism sector has a huge potential for growth, thanks to the Kingdom's strategic location and a close proximity to the region's biggest economies, a senior hospitality industry expert said yesterday. "Tourism sector still has a huge untapped potential and the revenue from this segment can be increased manifold by developing the basic facilities like beaches and historic tourist…
Emirates hopes to hand out more boarding cards than yellow cards... DUBAI, U.A.E., 12th July 2010 – Spain's victory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will heighten interest in Emirates' next artery into Europe, the airline said today. Commenting on Spain's triumph in South Africa, Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation, said: "Madrid has already…
July 13 - Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa's first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), announced today the start of its direct services from its latest hub in Alexandria, Egypt, to the UAE's Capital Abu Dhabi. Inaugural ceremony was held at Abu Dhabi International Airport included officials from Egypt and the UAE as well as representatives from Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and the…
July 13 - Investigations at Rafik Hariri Airport International found wire cutters and two filterless cigarettes next to the hat of a man who had apparently tried Saturday to hitch a ride on the Saudi-owned Nas Air jet, a well-informed security source said on Monday. Airport workers in Riyadh found a human body on the landing gear of a flight from Beirut early Saturday, after a man apparently tried to hitch a…
July 12 - Plans for the expansion of Bahrain International Airport are expected to be ready next month. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Airport Company, Kamal Ahmed, stated that the French firm ADPI will complete the main expansion plans by August and tenders for engineering designs will be announced soon after that. The French firm has been tasked with creating a comprehensive…
July 12 - Tourism officials detailed the challenges facing Petra and future plans to develop the area during celebrations last week marking the third anniversary since the site was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) Chief Commissioner Nasser Shraideh said several issues need to be addressed to turn the site into a world-class tourism…
July 12 - As summer heats up, more Saudis are traveling outside the Kingdom to spend their summer vacation, with Europe as the favorite destination this year, according to travel officials. Summer vacationers this year have diversified destinations outside of the Mideast. These destinations include Turkey, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and South Korea, travel executives said. Europe, however,…
July 11 - Human remains were found on the tyre of the Saudi-owned Nas Air jet when it landed in Riyadh after a flight from Beirut on Saturday, a Lebanon airport official said, adding that the man had apparently tried to hitch a ride on the aircraft's landing gear. "A man who has not yet been identified somehow managed to grab hold of a wheel of the jet in Beirut without the control tower noticing before…
July 11 - Citizens have objected to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities' (SCTA) decision to allow hotels and furnished apartments to raise their prices by up to a half over the summer vacation. The SCTA said they would allow hotels and furnished apartments to hike prices by 30 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, from early July to late September. However, citizens say this adds an extra burden…
July 11 - The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will make its international debut this month when the doors open on the Farnborough International Airshow outside London. Boeing also will feature an extensive display of new, advanced unmanned systems and technologies. "Bringing the 787 to Farnborough for thousands in our industry to see for the first time is another exciting historical milestone for this game-changing…
July 10 - Airport International Group (AIG), the Jordanian company responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), welcomed Iberia's first flight to Amman from Madrid this week. Iberia, the national carrier of Spain, will operate a weekly Madrid-Amman flight every Saturday aboard its Airbus 319 aircraft during the summer season. Flights will be added to…
July 10 - Oman's Ministry of Tourism is all set to launch new advertisement campaign to leverage the power of media in a bid to promote Dhofar. It will use a quirky creative approach to sell Salalah as a fresh and exciting holiday adventure. According to Mohammed Tobi, the undersecretary for the ministry of tourism, "This creative campaign will turn heads and make people think on how different and appealing…
July 8 - EgyptAir has launched a new flight from Alexandria to Marsa Alam International Airport, according to a statement, which the company said was a key to promoting domestic tourism. Several new direct international routes will commence to Port Ghalib from Amman, Kuwait, and Jeddah, the firm said. "EgyptAir is the first airlines to commence regular operation of domestic flight services to Marsa…
July 8 - A new breed of three-star budget hotel, the Centro Hotel by Rotana, beckons summer guests with low rates to experience what Rotana says is a five-star feel. “We launched the brand back in 2006 with the intention of creating a bold new genre, a lifestyle hotel brand offering finesse and functionality at reasonable prices,” said Omar Kaddouri, chief operating officer, Rotana. The Centro Barsha is…
July 8 - Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud on Tuesday kept up his campaign to improve Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport. The minister, who paid a surprise visit to the airport, expressed his displeasure over the failure of officials to ban smoking in the lobbies despite his numerous calls to do so. Abboud also expressed his discontent over the failed attempts to set up a special office for taxi drivers…
July 8 - Despite progress made in Petra in the three years since being named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, tourism officials say there is still work to be done to improve the visitor experience in the ancient Nabataean city. Visitor flow has risen "tremendously" since Petra was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World on July 7, 2007, according to Petra Development and Tourism Region…
July 7 - Gulf Air said yesterday its Worldwide Contact Centre's service will be available round-the-clock, as part of its efforts to step up customer service. Customers can now reach the contact centre 24 hours a day, throughout the year to book their tickets, redeem miles, check flight status, or make other travel related queries by calling the local number 17335777 in Bahrain, or any of the local numbers…
July 7 - The Airport Security Department of Dubai Police has announced that it will not use full-body X-ray scanners on passengers. The use of these scanners hampers the movement of passengers and invades their privacy, Brigadier Ahmed bin Thani, Director of the Airport Security Department of the Dubai Police, said at a press conference on Monday. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has…
