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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March 31- The Sultanate of Oman has established a tourism office in Dubai because of the increase in number of tourists to the Sultanate last year. Khalid Al Zadjali, acting Director of Tourism Events Departments, said “For the Sultanate of Oman, the UAE is very strong market with rising tourist arrivals. In order to tap this market Oman has opened an office here for better marketing and coordination.” Al…
March 31- The tourist landmark Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will be closed for the next three days (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) to mark the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who died in a plane crash in Morocco. Al Nahyan was chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). All non-worship activities at the Mosque have been stopped. Visitors will be accepted again on Saturday. Tour operators…
March 31- Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, will begin flight services to Alexandria and Aleppo in June. Flights to the Egyptian city of Alexandria will start on June 2 and operate four times a week. Flights to the Syrian city, Aleppo, will start on June 17 and operate three times a week. Gulf Air chief commercial officer, Kyle Haywood said “We have decided to make Aleppo and Alexandria permanent…
March 31- Emirates Airline will deploy the Airbus A380 on its flights to Manchester from September 1 this year, thus marking 20 years of Emirates presence in the city. The A380 will replace Boeing 777 aircraft on EK017 from Dubai and EK018 out of Manchester. At the same time, Manchester will become the world's first regional airport to have a regular A380 service. "Manchester has become one of the strongest…
March 31- Carriers from the Middle East have a definite edge over the competitive long-haul connections to Asia, it was learnt through a monthly report released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The regional carriers posted a 25.8 per cent growth in February this year as compared to the global average of plus 9.5 percent. The region with the second highest growth was Asia-Pacific (13.5 per…
March 31- The European Union (EU) has banned all airlines coming from Sudan and the Philippines into the region for safety reasons. "The European Commission imposes an operating ban on all operations of Sudanese air carriers, due to a poor safety performance of the civil aviation authority of Sudan resulting from persistent non-compliance with international standards," said the EU's executive body in a…
March 31- Oman Air is set to start with its policy of ‘Omanization’ by recruiting more Omani candidates, said Shaikh Ahmed al Nabhani, Chief Officer, Support Services. "His Majesty Sultan Qaboos's directives are our guiding beacon in this regard. The Board of Directors at Oman Air has drawn ambitious plans to recruit more Omanis this year as we surge ahead with our expansion plans. 2010 has started off well with…
March 31- has started four non-stop flights every week from Manila to Riyadh from March 28, 2010. Kanoo Travel, the general sales agent for Philippine Airlines in Riyadh, welcomed the carrier's move to restart its Middle East flight route. Speaking at the inaugural flight ceremony, Abdulla Abo Khamseen, Executive General Manager, Kanoo Travel, said, "We are happy Philippine Airlines has recommenced its flights…
March 31- FlyDubai Airline’s first flight to Kuwait successfully arrived at the Kuwait International Airport, said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday. The route has been put in place to strengthen ties between Kuwait and UAE, he added. FlyDubai is a start-up low-cost airline based at Dubai International Airport founded on March 19, 2008. The airline operates from Terminal 2 at Dubai…
March 31- Abu Dhabi’s largest water hotel, the Grand Canal, is slated to open by the end of this year, announced the Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) Mohammed Al Hajri. The design of the hotel, he said, has been inspired by the architecture found in Venice. "Grand Canal constructed on the sea coast, will add a new dimension to green tourism and will be considered one of the most beautiful touristic…
March 30- Qatar Airways will launch its first flights to South America when it begins daily flights to Brazil and Argentina on June 24th. Two new Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft will operate the new services to Sao Paolo and Argentina. Flight QR921 will take off from Doha International Airport every day at 7:40 am and land in Sao Paolo at 4 pm local time. The flight continues to Buenos Aires, arriving at…
March 30- Prince Salman, governor of Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said the government is committed to developing the tourism sector, which will create more jobs and help the national economy grow. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, (SCTDA) has the ambitious plan of increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to non-oil GDP from 6.5 percent to 11 percent in the near future. The…
March 30- Etihad Holidays has launched three new brochures for 2010, promoting holiday destinations to Abu Dhabi and the UAE as well as other locations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and Africa. Some of the destinations featured in the brochure are Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Japan, Sri Lanka, Melbourne and Chicago. Also included are holiday offers to 72 destinations in 22 countries…
March 30- Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) will operate its flights Heathrow Airport’s terminal four instead of three from April 14. According to Izzat Al-Aryan, KAC’s assistant director of land services for passengers and shipping affairs, the change is as per the instructions of the British Airport Authorities. Terminal 4 features two parking areas and a new system for luggage handling, he added, pointing…
March 30- Interval International, a provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, said it has signed on Emirates Vacation Club, a private residence club in Dubai. The Emirates Vacation Club's first phase consists of 32 luxury units located within the 48-storey Emirates Grand Hotel. Interval operates membership programmes for vacationers.
March 30- Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and Narita International Airports Corporation (NAA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a sister-airport relationship between the two airports. The move will increase cooperation between the two airport, said the press release issued on Monday. Under the agreement, the two airports will work on developing routes connecting them as well as…
March 30- All Saudi airports, seaports and entertainment and tourist sites will have touch-screen technology to guide tourists visiting the kingdom, it was learnt on Monday by developers Zaki Mohammed Ali Farsi of Farsi Geotech Group. The technology has the patronage of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). "We have received support from the Saudi government for building the largest database…
March 29- The Indonesian national carrier will offer an ‘Immigration on-board’ service on its flights from Dubai. The service, which was introduced on a trial basis on the Tokyo-Denpasar-Jakarta route in February, will begin flights to Jakarta, Bali, or Bandung, from Dubai and Europe on June 2. Passengers flying from Dubai who need visas to enter Indonesia will be able to buy ‘Visa on Arrival’ vouchers at…
March 29- The launched a tourism road show in Riyadh on Saturday night and is planning similar shows in Jeddah, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other major Gulf cities. Michael Morgenstern, counselor at the German Embassy and Stefan Loecherabach with Lufthansa attended the road show. Germany, which received about a half million Saudi tourists last year, aims to attract even more in 2010-2011. GNTB director for…
March 29 - Kuwaiti-based low-cost carrier, Jazeera Airways, has posted a loss of $28.5 million for 2009 as compared to a net profit of $15.6 million in 2008. The company said the losses were the result of the recession. The airline’s assets rose $256 million at the end of last year compared with $253.5 million in 2008, as reported on the Kuwait Stock Exchange’s website. Shareholder equity dropped sharply to…
March 29- Emirates arrived in Tokyo on Sunday evening with its inaugural non-stop flight, following a day of celebrating all things Japan in Dubai. Japan has also been Emirates’ hospitality suites theme this year with regard to the Dubai World Cup that took place at the Meydan Racecourse. Japan was also represented in the feature race - the Emirates-sponsored Dubai World Cup - by Red Desire, while Glorious…
March 29- The seat capacity of low-cost Middle Eastern carriers have increased to 8.3 per cent in 2009 from 7.4 per cent in 2008, said the latest report released by Centre of Asia-Pacific Aviation and OAG. According to the report, Middle Eastern budget carriers’ international capacity rose to six per cent from 4.8 per cent in 2008. Furthermore, an increase is expected this year as well as last year’s financial…
March 29- Royal Jordanian (RJ) has launched direct flights to Madinah that will operate four times a week. President/CEO, RJ, Hussein Dabbas, speaking about the launch, said that this route is particularly useful for those passengers who want to perform Umrah/Hajj, since it is much easier to catch a direct flight rather than getting to Madinah via Jeddah Airport or by land. The flight details are as follows:…
March 29- Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways has started its non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo from March 28. The inaugural flight, EY878, departed Abu Dhabi at 10:25pm on March 27 and landed at Narita airport in Tokyo at 1.35pm on March 28. The carrier will fly to Tokyo five times a week along with the five flights its offers to Nagoya, Japan. James Hogan, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said the…
