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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Etihad Airways announced Thursday that it will increase its capacity on Manchester services by 60 percent beginning in June, 2010, adding another 2,100 seats per week on the route. Etihad currently operates seven return services a week between Abu Dhabi and Manchester, with onward connections to its network around the world. Etihad’s chief commercial officer, Peter Baumgartner, said “We are pleased to support…
According to a new study by HotelsCombined.com, a leading hotel search engine, Dubai is projected to be one of the top five international tourist destinations for US travelers. HotelsCombined.com has a database of more than 200,000 hotels from 195 countries. This year Dubai made the top ten list of favorite international destinations, up from 33rd position for international cities at the same time last…
The January STR Global Construction Pipeline Report shows that Dubai continues to lead in hotel construction, with 30,222 rooms in the total active pipeline and 15,563 rooms in the ‘In Construction’ phase. The figures for Dubai come even as industry experts express concern that there may be an oversupply of hotels in the emirate this year. The STR report shows that 14 new hotels with over 3,000 rooms have been…
Al Mal Investment Company (Al Mal) and Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build the Hail International Airport. The 30 billion dollar (Dh 29.3 bn) airport will be located in the Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Musaed Economic City (Pabmec), about 720 kilometers north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Al Mal is the investment arm of M.A. Kharafi Group of Kuwait,…
The is looking to buy back its shares in the national carrier SriLankan Airlines from Emirates. Emirates bought its 43.6 percent equity stake in 1998 for $70 million dollars, and kept it when it ended its 10 year management contract with the Sri Lankan government in 2008. The value of Emirates share in the airline increased to $150 million by the end of the contract period. Emirates made all management…
The 15th annual Gulfood Food and Drink trade only exhibition has been totally sold out this year, even with a 20 percent increase in floor space to one million square feet. Gulfood is the Middle East’s biggest event for food, drink, food service, and hospitality, and is being held at the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Center between February 21 and February 24th. Key buyers and major industry players from…
has completed the first phase of the renovation of Al Bateen Wharf’s Fishing Marina, located in the oldest occupied area of Abu Dhabi. Renovation of the marina, which highlights Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage and seafaring culture, will give a boost to tourism in the capital. TDIC is the master developer of important cultural residential, and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi. TDIC Director for Public Relations…
Frederic Bardin, senior vice-president of Arabian Adventures, said Dubai authorities need to focus on completing tourism development projects in order to bring in more tourists. Arabian Adventures is part of the Emirates Group and one of the region’s biggest destination management companies. The number of tourists visiting Dubai dropped last year, but as the tourism sector gradually revives Dubai is becoming…
The world’s number 8 hotel operator, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, will open 49 hotels in 15 countries over the next three years. Hoyt Harper, Senior Vice President for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts said about 90 percent of the new hotels will be located outside of North America, including India, Taiwan, Poland, and 28 in China. Seventeen of the 28 Sheraton hotels planned for China will open in 2010. Harper said…
Up to 18 travel agents or sales intermediaries may go out of business because they lack bank guarantees, a requirement imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Travel agents that are accredited by IATA must provide a bank guarantee in order to sell airline tickets and complete these transactions through the Business and Settlement Plan (BSP). Dr. Majdi Saberi said this requirement is…
E gypt will soon announce results of DNA tests carried out on the mummy of boy-king Tutankhamun, who died over 3,000 years ago, in order to solve the mystery regarding his lineage. Antiquities supremo Zahi Hawass will announce the results of the study at a much anticipated news conference at the Cairo Museum. Last month, Huwass said the results will reveal “secrets of the family and the affiliation of…
IFA Hotels and Resorts (IFA HR) posted a $17.37m (Kda4.96m, Dh63m) loss in the first half of the current fiscal year (July-December 2009) but expects better results in the second half of the year. The company registered a profit of KD25m for the first half of the 2009 fiscal year. IFA HR is a major player in the development of premium integrated and mixed use hotels and tourism projects. The company said…
A Nakheel spokesman confirmed the development of at least five hotel projects on the Palm Jumeirah, expected to be complete by 2011. While many hotel chains around the world have been forced to delay their projects, none of the 30 hotels planned for Palm Jumeirah have been cancelled. The spokesman said “Palm Jumeirah will become one of the world’s premier resorts, offering more than 30 beachfront hotels,…
A delegation of senior Air France executives highly praised Abu Dhabi’s tourism potential after a familiarization tour of the capital organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA). Francois Michel said “Abu Dhabi features a lot of attractions and enjoys a variety of major assets that make it one of the most desirable destinations in the Gulf region.” Michel is Air France Africa and Middle East Manager for…
Jazeera Airways announced that it has purchased Sahaab Aircraft Leasing Company (Sahaab) for 25.6 million Kuwaiti dinars (Dh 325.4 million). Sahaab is a private aircraft leasing company established in 2008 that currently owns a fleet of nine Airbus A320s that were bought and then leased back to Jazeera Airways. Sahaab will continue to operate as a fully owned subsidiary of the airline, leasing aircraft to…
A top executive for budget hotel chain Premier Inn said revenues from the Middle East will account for up to 15 percent of its total earnings by 2015. Managing Director for Premier Inn, Middle East, said Middle East earnings account for less than one percent of the groups total of £1.33 billion (Dh7.67bn) in turnover or pretax profit of £228.2 million. Darroch Crawford, Managing Director, Premier Inn, Middle…
Tourists in the UAE are enjoying activities at the heritage sites complex in Al Shindagha, a sprawling complex along the beautiful Creek promenade. The activities were organized by Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for the 15th annual edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). The 32 day annual entertainment and shopping extravaganza ends on February 28th. The heritage sites in Al Shindagha have…
recorded a record-breaking net profit of Dh432.92 million for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, 47.0 percent higher than the Dh292.74 million net profit recorded in 2008. Earnings per share increased to Dh 0.43 in 2009, up from Dh 0.29 in 2008. ADNH which owns the Hilton, Le Meridian, and Sheraton-managed properties in the UAE, added three hotels to its portfolio in 2009 and will open the 438 room…
Official figures released Sunday show that tourism revenues in Jordan increased 32.2 percent in January to JD158 million, up from JD119 million in January 2009. Statistics issued by the Central Bank of Jordan show there was a 20 percent increase in the number of visitors to Jordan in January 2010, to 478,169, compared to 399,268 for the same period in 2009. The number of visitors increased at most of the…
Aldar Properties sold a major part of its signature Yas Island project, including the Grand Prix Circuit, to the Abu Dhabi Government. Chief Financial Officer for Aldar said “We sold a number of things, including the internal roads, vacuum systems, the marina, yacht club…and the race track.” Shafqat Malik said the sale was made in order to raise cash during one of Aldar’s most challenging periods, and also as…
Heavy rains continued to fall in the western part of Jordan, disrupting air and land traffic. All flights were diverted from Taif airport to King Abdul Aziz International Airport at 9 pm as a precaution. Director of Operations in Jeddah said the municipality was prepared to face any emergency situation, including flash flooding, but the rain was not as heavy as expected. Muhammad Qattan said the operating…
Luxury hotels in the United Arab Emirates are offering Valentines Day specials for mega rich romantics. The Emirates Palace, which bills itself as a seven star hotel, offers the most expensive Valentines Day package in the UAE- a seven day stay for one million dollars. Customers will have a private butler and a chauffeur-driven Maybach luxury car during their stay. Options include helicopter flights, a…
The Oman government expects there will be a substantial increase in tourism activities in 2010, consistent with the widely anticipated recovery in global financial markets. Minister of National Economy, Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki expects there will be an increase in the number of tourists, and this will help speed up the implementation of several mega tourism projects. Macki, who is also Vice-President of…
The UAE’s air traffic growth increased to 51,851 air traffic movements in January, and this was driven by Dubai, which ranked first in the region with 24,388 movements, or almost 47 percent of the total. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said higher air traffic movements were recorded in January 2010 than in January 2009, despite the global economic downturn. Overflights ranked second with 11,006…
