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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July 1 - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia annually earns over SR30 billion from Haj and Umrah, a figure that could be doubled if the two seasons were professionally managed, said Abdul Ghani Hammad Al-Ansari, a member of the Haj and Umrah Committee at the Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "This figure is confined to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and could be increased through good management,"…
July 1 - A group of Saudi journalists left Riyadh for Colombo this week on a familiarisation tour. The programme was organised by the Sri Lankan embassy in coordination with the country's tourism promotion bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines, to attract more tourists from Saudi Arabia, according to Sri Lankan Ambassador Ahmed A. Jawad. There has been a significant increase in Saudi tourists visiting Sri…
July 1 - The Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), the main developer of tourism, cultural, and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, has appointed Abu Dhabi-based Dhabi Contracting Establishment to build the first phase of Saadiyat Beach Apartments, which comprise 495 apartments. Set in the heart of a community on Saadiyat Beach, the properties, designed with Arabian and Mediterranean…
July 1 - The Rotana Hotel has opened its first property with direct beach access in Dubai at the Jumeirah Beach Residence. The hotel has 301 rooms all of which have sea views and are built in a contemporary style with Arabian influences woven throughout the common spaces. The interior design is light and in tune with its location by the sea. The hotel has several restaurants including the Horizon (with sea…
Priority Pass, the world’s leading independent airport lounge program, announces that its members have rated the Dilmun Lounge, Bahrain as its Lounge of the Year 2010 for the Middle East and Africa region. This is the fifth year in succession that this lounge has received an award from Priority Pass - which means every single year since it opened. “The survey gets a huge response from our…
June 30 - The UAE’s fourth national carrier, Rak Airways, which suspended its services in May 2009 because of exceptionally difficult market conditions, announced it will relaunch services by the end of the year. Omar Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, chairman of RAK Airways, said “We are now ready to enter the market. We have a lot of exciting new plans for the airline, which will be unveiled soon.” Al Qassimi said the…
June 30 - Kuwait parliament on Tuesday passed the 2010-2011 budget of state-owned Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) with a projected deficit of $180 million. Revenues for the privatisation-bound airline are projected at $853 million while expenditure is estimated at 1.033 billion dollars. The fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31, 2011. KAC chairman Hamad al-Falah said the national carrier…
June 30 - The Muscat International Airport has reported an increase in passengers handled in the first five months of the year. Arrivals rose by 12 percent to 773,771, compared to 691,477 in the same period of 2009, while the count of departing passengers grew by 16 percent to 761,471 from 657,572. The growth was attributed to the hike in number of flights by several airlines operating to Muscat, such as…
June 30 - Luxury hotels are the right brand fit for the Middle East and Asia region, according to a top executive at Marriott International, while lower-tier models work better in markets such as India and Brazil. Speaking to Emirates Business, Don Semmler, Executive Vice-President, Global Full Service Brands, Marriott International, said that it is unlikely select-service properties could ever outweigh…
June 30 - Abu Dhabi’s 116 licensed hotels and hotel apartments recorded a 14 percent increase in guests in May compared to the same month last year, accordingly to newly released Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) figures. Rising to 161,004, the May performance took the first five months of this year hotel guest total to 790,812, a 16 per cent increase over the same period last year. The performance…
June 30 - The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) launched a new classification system for furnished accommodation that they hope will encourage improved services. Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the SCTA, said the purpose of classifying accommodation is to determine the level of services that they provide and balance the interests of investors and the people who use them. He added that…
June 30 - Figures released by the Lebanese tourism ministry indicate that the sector’s activity has grown during the first five months of 2010 compared to the same period last year. The number of tourists visiting Lebanon saw an annual increase of 28.6 percent to reach 732,855 compared to 569,724 in 2009. This year-on-year progress sustains the significant rise in overall tourism activity throughout 2009…
June 29 - Air Arabia Egypt announced yesterday the launch of its services to Beirut, (Lebanon) from its third hub in Alexandria starting July 1, 2010. Roundtrip flights will operate four times a week between Burj Al Arab International Airport, Alexandria and Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, Lebanon. The LCC will fly to Beirut on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Flights depart…
Kuwait-based Wataniya Airways has appointed Green Meadows Travel and Tourism as the airline's new general sales agent in Amman, Jordan. Wataniya Airways recently celebrated one year of flights to Amman.
June 29 - Strong demand growth is expected in Dubai hotels over the short to medium term, maintaining occupancy rates in the low to mid-70 percent level, according to Jones Lang LaSalle's (JLL) second quarter 2010 report. Nearly 14,000 additional rooms are due to be completed by the end of 2012 with the opening of major hotels such as the Ritz Carlton (DIFC), the Pullman (Mall of the Emirates) and the…
June 28 - The daughter of fashion mogul Paulo Gucci, is facing a legal challenge from the Gucci group after she announced plans to open a chain of hotels starting with one in Dubai later this year. Elisabetta Gucci unveiled plans earlier this month to open an 87-suite hotel in Dubai under the brand name of EG Hotels by Elisabetta Gucci. The Gucci Group said that it has had no involvement in the project,…
June 28 - The arrival of the summer holiday season has seen an sharp increase in the numbers of travelers coming to Kuwait International Airport (KIA) to complete their travel documents before departing on vacation. As part of their efforts to maintain order and provide a smooth travel process for the large volume of passengers passing through KIA, officials from the Directorate of General Civil Aviation…
June 28 - Five local and international firms are eyeing a contract worth in excess of $100 million linked to the development of a greenfield airport at Duqm on Oman's Wusta coast. Bids closed here last week for the key phase II package of the domestic airport project centring on the construction of airfield infrastructure. Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), Larsen & Toubro (Oman), Hanjin Heavy Industries…
June 28 - Festivals in Saudi Arabia this summer are expected to generate SR13 billion, a two per cent increase over last year, according to Abdullah Al-Jihani, Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). Al-Jihani said there will be eight million tourist visits to festivals around the country, at a rate of seven nights in every city. There are 19 festivals and hundreds of…
June 28 - or the fifth year in a row, Malaysia continues to attract a large number of Saudi tourists, a senior tours and sales executive has said. "For five years in a row Malaysia has topped the countries attracting Saudi summer vacationers. Egypt and the UAE are usually next in popularity," said Mahmud Hamid, a tours and sales executive. According to tour and travel experts, people choose their destinations…
BRAZIL / ARGENTINA – Qatar Airways today celebrated yet another milestone in its short history with the launch of scheduled daily flights to Brazil and Argentina marking its foray into South America for the first time. Brazil’s largest city Sao Paulo and the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires have joined the airline’s growing list of destinations, taking the Doha-based carrier’s global network up…
The Saudi Passport Department has introduced the e-gate system at King Fahd International Airport in Damman and King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh to help passengers enter and exit. Authorities have advised those who want to make use of the electronic facility should approach the registration center at the two airports to get their e-gate cards. Officers will issue an ID card after checking the…
June 27 - The Middle East’s central location makes it a gateway for Europe, Asia, and Australia, and this connectivity is why the region will remain a major aviation hub, with airport capacity expected to reach 400 million over the next several years. Dubai was the pioneer in connecting traffic flows between regions, with the home base for Emirates Airline benefiting the region as it expects to attract 400…
June 27 - Saudi Arabia's travel and tourism sector is all geared to cope with the heavy rush of outgoing holidaymakers with the approaching summer vacation. There has been tremendous increase this time in the number of Saudi travelers to European countries judging by flight and hotel reservations. This was mainly because of the depreciation of euro against Saudi riyal and easing of visa procedures by these…
