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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April 8- Erbil Citadel, Kurdistan has been temporarily listed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage List in an official ceremony early last month. This milestone is the first of its kind for the region. “We dedicated a fund of US$13 million for Phase 1 of the rehabilitation and restoration of the Erbil Citadel, and will allocate $360,000 for Phase…
April 8- Representatives from the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) met with members of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and tourist bodies in a bid to encourage tourist investment exchange between both countries earlier this week. In this regard, workshops were held at hotels Riyadh and Jeddah as well as discussions with the media and tourist agencies to boost trade and tourism ties…
April 7- Richard Riley, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) said the company will invest Dh2.8 billion developing hotels in Abu Dhabi. Riley said work on its first water resort, the Grand Canal, is progressing satisfactory and the project will be complete by the end of the year. The Grand Canal resort overlooks the sea coast near the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan mosque. “This…
April 9- Emirates Airline has produced a reality TV show for North America’s Indian communities, tapping into the singing and dancing craze of Bollywood. Viewers will pick winners of both song and dance sections every week. Winners receive a cash prize of US$2,010 (Dh7,376), and perhaps a ticket to stardom. The Bollywood reality show features soloists and dance troupes performing all the head bobbing and…
April 7- Construction of Emirates Park Palace is on schedule the company said in a statement. The Dh 1.8 billion twin tower hotel and apartment has 1,612 rooms. Emirates Airline and Group will hand over the South Tower to Marriot in May.
April 7 - With less than three months until the 2010 World Cup kicks off in South Africa, CNN International is signing up a global army of football fanatics to become ‘Super Fans’. Tapping into CNN’s iReport community, the network is inviting passionate football fans around the world to submit videos outlining why they should be considered a ‘Super Fan’. Whether they are planning to cheer from the stadiums…
April 7 - An agreement is being finalized to change some parts of the Habaniya Airbase in Al-Anbar province, Baghdad, into a civil airport. "The process is part of the Al-Anbar investment plan," said Mizhir Hassan, head of the al-Anbar Investment Commission. The airport will contribute to the province’s economy, he added. Ramadi, the capital city of al-Anbar province, lies 110km west of Baghdad.
April 7 - Shell Oman has clinched two contracts to supply fuel to Fly Dubai and Aviation Services Management (ASM) at Muscat International Airport from April 1 to March 31, 2011. We are very pleased to win these prestigious contracts and thank the management of Fly Dubai and ASM for having placed their trust in Shell Oman," said Redha Juma al Lawati, Aviation Manager, Shell Oman. Fly Dubai has recently…
April 7 - While plans for its budget airline have been finalized, Qatar Airways, in a statement released on Wednesday, said that the low-cost carrier will not be launched as long as it feels that it will lose out on revenue to other budget airlines in the region. "We already have our plan for the low-cost carrier ready, but we are holding it back. The plan is complete," said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive…
April 7- The European Union (EU) has banned 34 out of 67 aircraft belonging to IranAir, Iran’s national carrier, from flying into member states owing to safety concerns. This is part of EU’s efforts to increase safety standards in the airline industry across the world. EU members will also visit Iran in the next few months to determine the safety situation and whether or not the Iranian Civil Aviation…
April 7- Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is hoping to serve around 33,000 passengers on its new Abu Dhabi-Tokyo route in 2010, which, in all likelihood, will double next year, said CEO, Etihad Airways, James Hogan. The new route, launched a week ago, was already growing. "Already we are seeing load factors in the key Pearl business class cabin of 73 per cent - this is a phenomenal achievement for a service that…
April 7 -Social media networking sites are providing means of revenue generation for hotels and resorts across the Middle East, said industry analysts. "While social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook are becoming huge, however, it is proving a major struggle for hotel companies to figure out how to profit from them," said Ray Tinston, Sales Director, The Hotel Show, a trade event for the tourism and…
April 7- Abu Dhabi-based , has announced that it will be expanding to Saudi Arabia, mainly Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar and Makkah, said a press release on Tuesday. The announcement is in line with Cristal’s Middle East expansion plan. "Saudi Arabia is home to two of Islam's holiest cities and several historic sites and is also either a base or a stopover for numerous multinational corporations. These have combined…
April 7- While the hotel industry seems to be recovering slowly across Middle East, further declines are expected in Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets’ RevPAR this year, said Paul Arnold, Principal and Head of Transaction Real Estate Advisory Services Group, Ernst & Young. "Those markets which were able to maintain their rate integrity in 2009 and have limited supply entering the market in 2010 will be the fastest to…
April 7- The Higher Authority for the Development of Hail has announced the setting up of an ecotourism park, Musama Park in the Middle East, said Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saad, Deputy Governor of Hail. The project, he added, will promote desert tourism in Saudi Arabia and lure tourists. The park will be situated 160km west of Hail City, it was decided in a meeting chaired by Hail Governor Prince Saud bin Abdul…
April 7 -Travelport, operator of the Galileo and Worldspan global distribution systems (GDS), has announced that it has renewed its Worldspan distribution agreement in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia with travel technology service provider Stargate Cyber Active. As per the agreement, Stargate will have exclusive rights to distribute Worldspan technology and services in UAE and KSA. "Our relationship…
April 7- As Hajj season comes closer many Saudi landlords have refused to rent out their buildings to locals in a bid to keep them vacant till pilgrims start coming in, it was learnt on Tuesday. Pilgrims will rent these places at exorbitant rates, said an unnamed source. As a result, rent in Makkah has increased. A three-room apartment, which could have easily been rented out at SR15,000 for a year, now costs…
April 7- The number of tourists travelling to Sri Lanka from the Middle East has gone up by 50 per cent as of January 2010 as compared to the same month in 2009. Figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority show that the strongest growth was registered in Qatar, up by 171 per cent, followed by the UAE (164 per cent), Saudi Arabia (127 per cent) and Kuwait (135 per cent). While it may be too…
April 7- Beaches in the UAE may contain blue flags, a symbol of clean beaches, in 2011 if they are able to meet the international criteria for the same, it was learnt on Tuesday. The blue flag is given to those beaches and marinas that have passed the criteria for water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and other services. Run by the Foundation of Environmental…
April 6- Jordan’s Tourism Ministry spokesperson Ansam Malkawi said in a press conference yesterday that the country’s restaurants will soon be rated under a new classification system. Malkawi said a new classification system is being finalized now by a committee formed by the tourism ministry and the Jordan Restaurant Association (JRA), and will be released within the next few months. She said the system is…
April 6- Abu Dhabi based developer Eon Resorts, have formed a partnership to develop an exclusive ultra luxury resort on the Maldives it was announced on Tuesday. Viceroy Maldives is currently under construction on the crescent shaped island of Vagaru in the Shaviyani Atoll, about one hour north of the capital Malé. The 61 room hotel is the latest addition to the hotel and operator portfolio of Mubadala…
April 6- Saudi-based Etihad Etisalat, also known as Mobily, has formed an alliance with Priority Pass that will offer elite services at more than 600 airports (VIP lounges) in 300 cities in 100 countries around the world. This is the largest airport lounge access programme. This includes most Middle Eastern airports as well as 70 US airports. Priority Pass members can also gain access to domestic VIP lounges at…
April 6- Saudi Arabia has shortlisted four groups for a $2.4 billion project to build and operate facilities linked to an airport in Jeddah, said a Saudi aviation authority official. The project, titled the Airport City Project, will take about 10 years to be completed and will attract $5.86 billion in investments, said Alaa Samman, director of business development for domestic airports at the General Authority…
April 6- Dubai-based aircraft charter service company, Western Aviation, has recorded a 21 per cent increase in air charter sales in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009, thus showing a slow but steady recovery in the aviation sector this year. "As a result of recession there have been a lot of mergers, consolidations and takeovers in the global market, which is forcing major…
