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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May 11 - Eyewear sales in Dubai are on the rise owing to the number of tourists in the city. In fact, figures suggest that tourists contribute to as much as 60 per cent of the sales, said Andrea Guerra, Director and CEO of Luxottica, a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of fashion, luxury and sports eyewear. "People come to Dubai happy to spend money. They enjoy the shopping experience here, which is…
May 11 - A small fire that erupted in the office of Kuwaiti Airline at the Kuwait International Airport on Monday caused minor damage but no casualties, it was learnt. Director of the operations department of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Isam Al-Zamil said the fire only damaged the 15-square-meter office of the airline. The airport's fire department is probing the incident.
May 11- The impending British Airways (BA) strike will affect the airline’s passengers in the Gulf as the airline’s cabin crew has announced four new periods of strike in May and June. In fact, over the weekend, 81 per cent of BA crew voted against the latest offer made by the airline and Unite, the cabin crew union, and has announced that there will be five-day periods of industrial inaction in May, which is the…
May 12 - Budget carrier Flydubai announced on Tuesday that it will start its first route to India from June, a good 10 months after the flights to the country were first scheduled to operate. Flights to Lucknow will start from June 2 and Flydubai is looking to operate more routes to India. Flights to Lucknow, Coimbatore and Chandigarh were due to begin last July but were postponed owing to operational issues.…
May 12 - Nasair on Monday signed an agreement with Al Dhuha Modern Co, a hajj and umrah operator that allows Nasair to become its official airline carrier for the latter’s pilgrims. Mohammed Jameel Shaarawi, Chairman of Al Dhua, and Ahmed Sultan, Nasair Director signed the agreement. Talking about the agreement, Shaarawi said: "We are happy to hold the partnership with Nasair. It will provide the carrier relied…
May 11- Al Bateen Executive Airport, Gulf’s first and only private aviation airport, on Monday announced a 30 per cent increase in aircraft movements in the first quarter of 2010. In this regard, the airport owner and operator Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC) said a multi-million-dollar redevelopment is under way at Al Bateen, which will cover all aspects of operation from the upgrade of its airfield, hangar and…
May 11- The power supply to a terminal of King Abdul Aziz International Airport remained suspended for one-and-a-half-hour, thus leading to delays in six international and two domestic flights on Sunday morning. Security staff prevented passengers from entering departure and arrival halls as inspection procedures were halted along with passport control and customs, causing a considerable backlog of passengers.…
May 11- Saudi Arabian Airlines announced on Monday that the carrier had suspended flights to the US indefinitely owing to the presence of new volcanic ash clouds drifting from Iceland. "The decision to suspend our flights has been taken in order to guarantee the safety of passengers," Abdullah Al-Ajhar, Assistant Director-General of the airline said. In this regard, all passengers on Monday’s Jeddah-New York…
Bahrain-based Gulf Air has laid off about 500 people in the last six months, said Samer Majali, the chief executive of the airline, talking about its voluntary redundancy programme that was set up recently. Majali said that the people were laid off owing to various measures – temporary contracts were allowed to expire, a recruitment freeze was made and natural attrition was induced. "We have cut down our…
May 11- Omani and French experts will come together in Oman from May 15-17 to discuss sustainable development issues and green architecture along with eco-tourism in a workshop titled 'Green architecture and eco-tourism'. The workshop will be held under the patronage of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture and the French Embassy along with the collaboration of the Oman Society of Engineers. Speaking at the press…
May 11- Kuwaiti tourists to Malaysia have been increasing every year, said Malaysian tourism minister Dr Ng Yen Yen, who is visiting Kuwait at the moment. "Despite the economic crisis, the number of Kuwaiti tourists increased from 17,000 in 2007 to 18,853 in 2008 and 20,170 in 2009. We hope to see 25,000 Kuwaiti tourists this year," said Dr Yen at a press conference held on Sunday at Kuwait’s Sheraton…
May 11- European luxury hotel group Kempinski has announced that it will expand in the Middle East as well as establish itself in the Egyptian market. Kempinski’s first Middle East hotel opened in Ajman one year ago while its first property in Egypt will be the Kempinski Nile Hotel. Talking about the new venture, Reto Wittwer, Chief Executive Officer and President for Kempinski Hotels, said: “Cairo is a city…
May 11 - Hotel groups in Dubai are afraid that the recent euro crisis could have an adverse effect on occupancy levels as euro-zone tourists are hesitant to travel at this point. The euro fell to a 14-month low against the US dollar last week as the fallout from the Greek financial crisis extended throughout the largest source market for tourists visiting the Emirates. Making it expensive to use euros to buy…
May 10 - Kuwait-based budget carrier Jazeera Airways has deferred deliveries of some of its aircraft as a cost-controlling measure, said the airline’s chief operating officer, Reinhard Kossack on Sunday. The company has placed firm orders for 29 Airbus A320 aircraft, which were to be delivered by 2014. Now it expects to receive the last of these planes by 2016. Two deliveries originally expected for 2011 have…
May 10 - US plane maker, Boeing, hopes that it will do great business with the Middle East in the next 20 years and will sell commercial airplanes worth Dh550.94 billion to airlines here, said Randy Tinseth, Vice-President Marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Boeing has a market share of 40 per cent in the region at the moment and hopes to increase by 10 per cent in the next 20 years. "From around 800 planes…
May 10 -The French Latitude Sud Company, general agent in France of cruise lines Royal Caribbean International, has signed an agreement with Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises (RCCL Group) and D'Alessandro Travel agency. As per the agreement, D’ Alessandro will be allowed to introduce the cruise’s travel packages to the Tunisian market. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman and Managing Director of…
May 10 - European luxury hotel operator Rocco Forte Collection is hoping to have about six to eight properties in its Middle East portfolio in the next five years, said, Ael Soukah, Rocco Forte Collection’s Director of Outbound Sales, Middle East. In this regard, the first property is slated to open in Abu Dhabi in October this year. "In the next two years, Rocco Forte Collection will have three hotels up and…
May 10 - The ATM Iberotel has opened one more hotel in Dubai called the Iberotel Emirates Grand Hotel. Ashraf Helmy, Area General Manger & Business Development Manager of Iberotel Hotels and Resorts, said: "We are extremely pleased to open a new hotel in Dubai which is the third one in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2007, we opened the first hotel property in UAE, Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort right…
May 10 - The predictions for the hotel industry in the Middle East are said to be pretty good, said Bradley Holliday, Senior Manager for the Tourism Hospitality and Leisure Industry Group at Deloitte Middle East. Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market last week, he said that "the forecast for the coming year is good," he added. "Airline arrivals in the region are showing positive growth of around 15 per cent,…
May 10 - Hotels across the UAE are spending a lot of money to upgrade their security surveillance systems in the aftermath of the assassination of the Hamas leader in Dubai this year, said an expert. "Working with the co-operation of the police, hotels in Dubai in particular are spending a lot on major upgrades of already extensive security systems, in some cases almost doubling the number of cameras," said Ray…
Dubai, UAE – Qatar Airways marked its attendance at this year’s ATM Dubai – the Middle East’s largest travel show – by showcasing its award-winning Five Star service and hospitality including a display of its long-haul Boeing 777 Business Class seats and the airline’s in-flight entertainment system. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker held a press conference on the opening day of the four-day…
May 9 - Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH), based in Dubai, announced it is expanding in the Levant and Qatar. HMH first entered Lebanon with its Coral Hotels and Resorts brand in Beirut and announced it will also open two hotels in Qatar. “Beirut is booming and so is the hospitality industry in the city. We believe there is an enormous potential for our brand in Lebanon, which is emerging as a leading…
May 9 - A new report by Alpen Capital, entitled GCC Retail Industry Report 2010, said the inflow of tourists and increasing number of passengers in transit will help fuel retail growth in the GCC retail industry. Other factors expected to boost growth in the retail industry are an increase in population, urbanization, and middle class (with increasingly higher per capital income). Gross leasable area (GLA) in the…
May 9 - Movenpick Hotels and Resorts will open four hotels in Dubai over the next 10 months, adding over 1,200 rooms to Dubai’s market. The first property, the five star Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, is scheduled to open in September. The hotel is part of the huge Salmon Pink Development near the Ibn Battuta mall.
