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 9 - The Middle East’s premier travel and tourism event, the Arabian Travel Market, finished its 17th year yesterday, opening its doors to the public as it does every year on the last day. Consumer’s Day gives the public a chance to take part in fun competitions, take advantage of a variety of special offers, and experience hundreds of destinations. Turkish Airways, the world’s fastest growing airline, used…
May 9 - Tourists are flocking to Gharbia to see a nilotic fish farm developed by Bakhit bin Suqan Al Mansouri. The ‘nilotic’ fish farm, which has freshwater fish like Tilapia and Catfish, made headlines after major websites like Google Earth featured it. Al Mansouri is the first UAE citizen to establish a farm for Nilotic fishes in Liwa. He said the idea occurred to him one day in 1995 as he was going about his…
May 9 - Emirates Airline’s President Tim Clark said on Thursday that the airline had complied with US security rules before letting the Times Square bombing suspect to board a flight for Dubai. Clark also blamed the Obama government for unduly criticizing the airline. “We're not a security agency. For the Obama administration to say that we dropped the ball on this, it's a bit much,” he said, adding that it is…
May 9 - Hotels in Ajman have reasonably decent levels of occupancy given that it is easy to go to Ajman from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, said an executive for an Ajman-based hotel at the last day of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). "All hotels in Ajman are very happy because of the recent international sports events in neighbouring Sharjah, which provided good business and during the last two months overbooked…
May 9 - The Cyprus Government has signed an agreement with Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company to invest Dh551 million in a real estate venture that includes a five-star hotel, luxury apartments, retail space and office buildings, said officials on Saturday. This development will take place in Cyprus’ capital Nicosia and both countries will be equal stakeholders in the project."This major tourism…
May 9 - Given that UAE has become of one of the tourist destinations of choice, other Gulf states are inclined to follow a similar model and promote tourism in their countries. In this regard, Oman is looking to diversify its economy with the help of tourism. "The government decided to develop tourism and diversify the economy by not letting just the oil play the 100 per cent role," Salim Bin Adey Al Mamari,…
May 9 - Kuwaiti hotel group Safir Hotels and Resorts has announced that it will triple the number of its properties by 2015. "Even in the midst of global economic uncertainty our expansion will fare exceptionally well thanks to our resilience proven in surviving the Kuwaiti invasion. We know how to operate in challenging environments without downgrading our service," Helmut Meckelburg, chief executive of Safir…
May 8- The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2010 closed today, reflecting renewed strength and optimism from the travel and tourism industry. The event closed on a high note this Friday showing the industry has built up momentum for growth. The number of visitors to the four day event increased by 3 percent compared to last year, and there was also an increase in the number of Gulf Cooperation Council…
May 8 - The number of hotel rooms in Sharjah is expected to grow 75 percent said Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, speaking at the Arabian Travel Market in the UAE. Al Qassimi, who is chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) said the increase in room numbers is expected based on the expected rise in hotel facilities over the next four years, and also because of on-going growth…
May 8 - Hotel operators in the Gulf region have obtained a first-mover advantage over international competitors by opening hotels in Baghdad, Karbala, and Erbil. Gulf investors have shown a growing interest in Iraq, with the number of projects by regional company’s year-on-year up 87 percent in 2009. Projects worth about $230 billion (Dh 844 billion) are currently in progress in Iraq, 35 percent of which are…
May 8 - Emirate’s Hospitality, a unit of Dubai’s Emaar Properties, plans to take its brand global, beginning with management of two hotels in France and Morocco. The hospitality group is also in talks to operate more hotels under The Address brand as luxury hotel sales recover. Marc Dardenne, chief executive of Emaar Hospitality said the brand has had a good performance at home and the next step is to grow it…
May 8 - A top government official in Cyprus confirmed that Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, Air Arabia, and Jazeera Airways have been in talks with the government to increase frequencies or launch new service to the Mediterranean country. “Air Arabia has already received the rights to fly to Cyprus and it should launch operations by the fourth quarter of 2010 or 2011 from its Sharjah hub. The airline has…
May 8 - Participating hotels in the six week Summer in Abu Dhabi festival will provide discounts of up to 50 percent, and there will be a variety of other promotional offers to attract 200,000 visitors to the capital. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is organizing the festival which takes place from June 4th until August 5th. The ADTA has partnered with 40 hotels for the festival and is awarding special…
Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Qatar Airways has claimed yet further key international awards, winning three accolades at two glittering award ceremonies in Dubai. The Doha-based carrier retained its Leading Business Class Airline in the Middle East title as voted by travel industry professionals in the prestigious World Travel Awards, an honour that the airline has now held for five consecutive years. The…
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 7 May, 2010: Emirates airline and Travelport, one of the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS) providers, today signed a major global content agreement that will provide all Galileo, Apollo and Worldspan-connected travel agents with access to the airline’s full inventory of flights and fares. The five-year deal, which takes effect immediately, ensures rate parity for…
May 7 - President of Emirates Airline Tim Clark said the carrier complied with US security rules before letting the Times Square bomb suspect board a flight to Dubai. Mr. Clark blamed President Obama for exaggerating the airline’s role in the issue. “We’re not a security agency” he said. For the Obama administration to say that we dropped the ball on this is a bit much.” Airlines Mr. Clark said, should not…
May 7 - Dubai International Airport was recognized by passengers and travel professionals around the world at the 2010 World Travel Awards, winning two prestigious awards, ‘ ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ at the Business Traveler Middle East awards, and ‘Middle East’s Leading Airport’ at the 2010 World Travel Awards ceremonies held in Dubai earlier this week. Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,…
May 7 - Sharjah based Air Arabia posted a Dh50 million net profit in the first quarter of 2010, 51 percent less than the Dh 103 million profit for the same period last year, because of declining passenger yields. The drop in net profit occurred even as passenger numbers increased by 9.02 percent to 1.03 million, earning the carrier revenues of Dh482 million in the first quarter of 2010, 4 percent higher than the…
May 7 - India’s Oberoi Hotels and Resorts is planning to open three hotels in the UAE by 2013, with the first, a 220 room property, to open in Business Bay in 2011. Two additional hotels will open and be operational by 2013. “Our first hotel in the UAE will be the business hotel in Dubai, which should open in one and a half years” said Liam Lambert, President of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. He said after that two…
May 7 - A luxury beach club is being designed for Saadiyat Island to attract high spending residents in Abu Dhabi to the capital’s multibillion dirham flagship tourism development. Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) is building the island development which will be home to the Guggenheim and Louvre museums. The luxury beach club will have a spa, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a…
May 7 - The Resort was presented with the “Best 5 Star hotel in 2009” at a recent ceremony organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). The Radisson Blu Resort, Sharah proudly announces it’s status as Best Hotel in Sharjah as granted by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. The Sharjah Tourism Excellence Award ceremony took place at the Sharjah Equestrian Club…
May 6- Low cost carrier flydubai announced on Monday that it will start flights to Karachi, Pakistan, its sixth new destination this month, bringing the total number of destinations in its network to 19. Starting on June 21st, flydubai will fly five times a week to Karachi on a one way fare of Dh 300, which includes all taxes and one piece of luggage. FZ333 will take off from Dubai at 08:15 am and land in…
May 6- Royal Jordanian expects to make only a “slight” profit this year as a result of fuel cost increase. The $85- $86 a barrel for oil has affected the airlines cost structure stated CEO, Husssein Dabbas.
May 6- Saudi-budget carrier National Airline Services (NAS) CCO has announced that the airline expects to break even by 2011. Maria Angelika Hanne stated that they plan to increase passenger traffic by 75% and introduce three new routes to India this year. “We made losses in our first year, and last year we reduced our losses by 50%. I am confident that we will reach breakeven next year,” she said. NAS expects to…
