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 6 - Planet Group owner, Georges Mousa and two other Gulf partners plan to start a full-service airline in the next 18 months. The Dubai-based Lebanese businessman said the airline plan is complete but they are waiting on approval from the Lebanese government to open skies for competition. They are expected to do so in 2010.
May 6- The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has stated that hotels and serviced apartments will be under a new classification system by the end of this year. The existing star-rating system is to be revised because some ultra-luxurious properties deserve higher than the traditional five stars. DTCM said the scale will still be from one to five, but new categories will be added to…
May 6 - Hyatt plans to open 2 new luxury hotels in the UAE capital this year announced Thierry Bertin, VP of Sales and Marketing at the Arabian Travel Market yesterday. Hyatt at Capital Centre Abu Dhabi will be opened later this year, while Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi will open in early 2011. Park Hyatt will be located in the northern part of Saadiyat Island, surrounded by the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. It will…
May 6 - French hotelier, Accor Hospitality plans to expand their portfolio in Saudi Arabia and Syria. They expect to build around 22 more hotels in the next two to three years and they see massive potential in Saudi Arabia for the budget brands.
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Duty Free has taken the top prize at the 2010 Duty Free News International (DFNI) Awards for Travel Retail Excellence. The Qatar Airways subsidiary won the title Travel Retailer of the Year 2010, beating strong competition from DFS Group, Dubai Duty Free and Nuance-Watson in Singapore. The award was presented at a glitzy event held at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel in…
May 5 - Emirates Airline called back its flight EK202 leaving for Dubai from New York and three passengers were taken off the aircraft as airport security investigated a foiled bomb attempt in Times Square. "Full security procedures were activated including the deplaning of all passengers and a thorough screening of the aircraft, passengers and baggage,” said an Emirates spokesperson. U.S. Attorney General Eric…
Ma 5 - Etihad Airways is contemplating introducing all-economy, single-class flight services in a bid to cut costs, said the airline CEO James Hogan, who was speaking at the launch of Hala Abu Dhabi, the airline’s latest destination management product. "I think we are capable - we already have 15 A320 aircraft. That gives us the frequency and the depth that we need to cater to passengers in the GCC, the Middle…
May 5 - Around 500 Umrah visas have been issued for Iranian pilgrims, said Saud Al-Sulimani, customer relations manager at Bab Al-Umrah, one of five Umrah service providers in Jeddah. He said the first batch of pilgrims should arrive in Makkah in a few days. This news is encouraging for Umrah service providers and related businesses who have been running into losses since pilgrims were Iran have not been coming…
May 5 -According to a survey conducted by the Insignia Travel Intelligence Report, 71 per cent people (out of 2,000 respondents) still think that Dubai is the ultimate luxury destination, thus keeping in line with its ‘seven-star’ tourist hub. In this regard, more than 90 per cent of the respondents feel that news regarding the finances of entities such as Dubai World has had no effect on the bookings, said…
May 5 - The Rotana Group has won nine awards in the 17th Annual World Travel Awards held this year, an event that aims to promote excellence in the tourism industry. The group has been given for the fourth consecutive year, the title of Middle East's Leading Hotel brand. The individual properties' awards included Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Middle East Leading Corporate Resort, Arjaan by Rotana Dubai, Middle East…
Hotels in Dubai have reported a 3.3 per cent increase in the first quarter of 2010, said an official of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) on Tuesday. Revenues for the first quarter were Dh3.77 billion as against Dh3.64 billion in the first quarter last year. "We are optimistic about 2010 but I would not like to make futuristic projections," Saleh Al Geziry, Director Overseas Promotions and…
May 5 - Starwood Hotels and Resorts said that it will open all nine of its brands in the Middle East by 2013 which include St Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft, and Element. "Starwood is established as the sector leader in the Middle East. We currently have a footprint of 50 hotels across the region and a pipeline of 20 more due to open in the next five…
May 5 - Hilton Worldwide has announced that it will have 21 new properties opening across Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by 2014, out of which four will be in the UAE. In this regard, Hilton’s upscale Doubletree hotel will be introduced at the end of this year, with the first one being in Ras Al Khaimah, said Andrew J Clough, Senior Vice-President Development, Middle East & Asia-Pacific. He also said that…
May 4 - Etihad Airways hopes that passenger traffic will hit seven million this year as compared to 6.3 million in 2009, said Chief Executive Officer James Hogan yesterday. "As we approached the first quarter of 2010, passenger numbers grew by more than 11 per cent, with growth in our first class and business class. We witnessed success with our Abu Dhabi, London and Frankfurt lounges, and expect profitability in…
May 4 - Emirates Airlines’ flight A380 from Dubai to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Monday was delayed because of some technical issues. The flight has been rescheduled for today. “Emirates flight EK241 operated by an A380, scheduled to depart Dubai to Toronto on May 3 at 09:55 hours was delayed due to a minor technical fault prior to departure,” said an Emirates spokesperson.“Passengers, where…
May 4 - Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi has announced that Iran has designed a 150-seat passenger plane. "We have designed a medium size passenger plane which can carry between 100 and 150 passengers and we are cooperating with the civil aviation authority to build bigger planes," said the ministry’s website on Sunday. However, no details were given about when production for the plane will start. Iran has…
May 4 - Middle East's carriers will need 1,710 aircraft to meet its growing demand at an estimated price of Dh1.1 trillion, according to Boeing. Carriers across the region will require 850 twin-aisle aircraft, 680 single-aisle, 130 superjumbo, and 50 regional jets. Seat numbers for airlines across the Middle East will grow by 11 per cent annually, said a Boeing spokesperson. In 20 years, Dubai will become the…
May 4 - The Ministry of Interior (MoI) Undersecretary for Ports Security Affairs Lieutenant Ibrahim Al-Rushaid has announced that a new hi-tech 'CTX 9000' scanning device will be installed at the Kuwait International Airport to detect any illegal substances. The decision was made after the airport’s security officials were put on high-alert after information about a possible terrorist act was received. "As a…
May 4 - Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has shot down the plan to establish a new airport in Makkah. "King Abdulaziz International Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port serve Makkah by air and sea. So there is no need for a new airport in Makkah," he said. Talking to journalists during an inspection of Jamoom, Prince Khaled said it was important to have balanced development rather than just rush into things. "I…
May 4 - Occupancy rates for Armani Hotel in Dubai will be about 60 per cent this year, said Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts.“Until now we have been running over 50 per cent occupancy, which is mostly from the GCC and the local market primarily. The international market has not started to come in yet as we have just started our booking engine," he said on…
May 4 - Marriott Lodging International will introduce 40 new properties in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by 2014, said the company’s president and managing director, Ed Fuller. According to Fuller, the Middle East, particularly the GCC, has not been affected as such by the global economic crisis, thus making it profitable to expand into the region. "In the Middle East, we have about 21 hotels opened and…
May 4 - Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) has announced that it will introduce 17 new hotels this year in the Middle Eastern market, many of which will be unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) that will begin today at the Dubai Expo Convention Centre. "This is a landmark year for our group with a hotel opening practically every three weeks across our four brands and ATM is the perfect platform to…
May 4 - Rotana Hotels and Resorts has announced that it will expand operations into India, Pakistan, Iran and Central Europe by 2015. Talking to journalists about the company’s expansion plans, the President and Chief Executive, Selim El Zyr, said that this will take the group’s portfolio to 100 hotels. At the moment, the group has 70 hotels in the pipeline out of which 30 will be located in the UAE. "We…
May 4 - Action Hotels Group is planning to add 10 new hotels in the Middle East, three of which are under construction and seven more in pipeline, said Chairman Sheikh Mubarak Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Sabah during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference on Sunday. This will bring the number of hotels owned by the group to 25. "Action has five properties in the region, with one in Australia. As we are a…
