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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The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has embarked on a road show through three European countries in order to attract more European tourists to Sharjah. SCTDA will cooperate with Air Arabia and other representatives of the emirates tourism sector to organize the road show, which will promote Sharjah tourist attractions in Turkey, Bulgaria, and the Greek capital of Athens between February…
Air Arabia announced that its net profits for financial year ending December 31st, 2010 fell only slightly to Dh 452 million, despite the difficult financial times for the global aviation industry. Air Arabia, which is the biggest low cost airline listed on the Dubai Financial Market for the Middle East and North Africa posted profits of Dh 454 million for the financial year ending December 31st, 2008. Air…
Royal Jordanian will offer two weekly flights from Amman to Madinah beginning on March 28th, in order to serve Haj and Umrah pilgrims. President and CEO of Royal Jordanian, Hussein Dabbas, said the route was chosen because many Pilgrims want to visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before continuing on to Makkah for Umrah or Haj.
Nas Air will begin flights directly from the Kingdom to Mumbai four times a week by the end of March. Nas Air is a subsidiary of Riyadh based Saudi National Air Services (SNAS). Chief executive officer of SNAS, Sulieman Abdullah Al-Hamdan, said “We plan to operate four flights a week from Saudi Arabia to Mumbai at the end of March, possibly two from Riyadh and two from Jeddah.” The airline will later fly to…
Etihad Airways announced on Thursday that it will add seven extra flights to Australia in 2011. A statement issued by the national carrier of the UAE said the seven extra flights can operate to any gateway in Australia including Etihad’s current destinations of Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. The new flight slots will be available beginning on March 11th, 2011. Etihad Airway’s chief executive, James Hogan…
and Resorts is taking legal action against race course developer Meydan, due to alleged various breaches of management contract at The Meydan and Banyan Tree hotels. The Singapore based luxury hotels group announced that it secured a contract to manage the two hotels in 2007, although neither hotel is currently operating. Banyan Tree however, announced in a recent statement that it has launched arbitration…
Premier Inn, the UK’s biggest and most successful hotel brand in the UAE, opened a new hotel at the Dubai International Airport. Managing Director of Premier Inn Middle East, Darroch Crawford noted that there has generally been a slowdown in expansion throughout the hotel industry, and an atmosphere of caution. However, Crawford said Premier is more optimistic because “There continues to be an increasing…
Jumeirah Group, the luxury hotel operator that manages Burj Al Arab, will manage a new five star hotel located in the Maldives. Dubai based Jumeirah Group signed an agreement with Xanadu Holdings Private Limited to manage Jumeirah Meradhoo, which is located south of the Maleé Atoll, in Gaafu Alifu Atoll. Jumeirah said in a statement “This is the second phase of the group’s expansion strategy in an area which is…
Boutique European Hotel operator, The Oetker Hotel Collection (OHC) will operate its first hotel outside of Europe when it launches Le Bristol, Abu Dhabi. Hospitality veteran Sammir Daqqaq has been appointed to manage OHC’s expansion strategy as senior vice –president (Development) for the Middle Eat and Africa (Mena) region. CEO of OHC, Frank Marrenbach, said “As part of our development plan, we are happy to…
Falling hotel room rates in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, have led to higher occupancy rates, but industry experts are optimistic that there will be a slow and steady recovery in the sector by the end of 2010. Samir Daqqaq with Oetker Hotel Collection said “Hospitality is a volatile sector worldwide. During a slowdown it is the first one to be affected. But I think this is just a temporary phase…
The number of cruise ship passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi is projected to grow up to 100 percent in 2010, as more ships are attracted to the region. Mana al Mana, chief executive of said “We aim to attract cruise lines to start their voyage from Abu Dhabi. We are currently in discussions with operators.” Mr. Al Mana said the number of cruise passengers is expected to increase to between 160,000 and 190,000…
The development of new golf courses in Abu Dhabi are part of the emirates efforts to attract more, and higher spending tourists. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, just a ten minute drive from the Corniche, over the Khalifa Bridge, is one of the new courses aimed at luring more visitors to Abu Dhabi. The course is long and undulating with several holes along the beach. Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism…
Jordan’s national airline, Royal Jordanian, will take part in the annual International Mediterranean Tourism Market for the first time in Israel later this month. The Israeli tourism fair, which bills itself as the biggest travel market in the Eastern Mediterranean, will host Royal Jordanian in Tel Aviv in the second week of February. Rony Levin, a customer relations manager with Royal Jordanian in Tel…
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said Monday that new development projects planned for Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) will create at least 34,000 jobs. The new projects are part of GACA’s plan to develop international and domestic airports into airport cities. A GACA technical team previously visited airports in South Korea, Dubai, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Amsterdam in…
Results of a recent survey conducted by YouGovSiraj were released on Monday and showed that about half of UAE business travelers are planning to take more trips and also upgrade to premium economy class. YouGovSiraj’s Travel Tracker surveyed 330 leisure and 255 business travelers from the UAE in January. 46 percent of respondents said they expect their business travel will increase, up from only 29 percent…
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) gave the tourism sector a boost with the announcement that it will issue new regulations aimed at streamlining the operation of hotels and furnished apartments. The tourism body, which has the power to issue or cancel operational permits for tourist facilities and hotels, said it will also pay about SR19 million to take over four important…
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced Tuesday it will manage a new luxury resort and branded residences on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi will be the company’s first foray into the Middle East market. The property is being developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and scheduled to open in 2013. The resort will have 160 guest rooms and suites, 35 serviced…
Dnata Travel has opened a new ticket counter at Dubai International Airport in Terminal 1. The new counter will be open 24 hours a day providing dedicated ticketing services for low cost airlines flydubai, Air Arabia, Air Blue, Air India Express, and Jazeera Airways. A Dnata team will also offer travel related service such as car hire, insurance, issuance of international driver’s licenses, and complete holiday…
Etihad Holidays, a division of Etihad Airways and Tourism Thailand have entered into a cooperative agreement to promote tourism in Phuket, Bangkok, Koh Samui, and Pattaya. Etihad chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner said Etihad Airways will offer travelers the best value for money holiday packages to Thailand as part of a special promotion in February and March 2010.
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) increased the number of weekly flight services between Abu Dhabi and Kiev to five times a week, less than five months after launching the new service in September, 2009. The Kiev-Abu Dhabi route now operates on a Boeing 737 with business and economy class, departing from Abu Dhabi three times a week. Yuri Miroshnikov, President of UIA, said “We are delighted to be adding…
Taleb Rifai, secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said the Middle East must do more to promote itself as an environmental and responsible destination. Rifai said the biggest challenge for the Middle East’s tourism sector is to present itself as “a responsible tourist destination on an environmental, social and cultural level.” Rifai explained the crisis that hit the…
UK based Conde Nast Traveler magazine 108 strong short list of the world’s greatest hotels included three in the UAE; The Desert Island Resort & Spa on Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island, Dubai’s Ritz-Carlton, and Madinat Jumeirah. Editors and travel experts at the Conde Nast publication compile a Gold List of the world’s best hotels every year using six criteria – service, location, food, rooms, leisure…
The Burj Khalifa “At the Top” observation deck has been closed temporarily for maintenance and upgrade, and it is not yet known when it will reopen. A spokesperson for Burj Khalifa said “Due to unexpected high traffic, the observation deck experience at the Burj Khalifa, At the Top, has been temporarily closed for maintenance and upgrade.” He said contractors are working on technical issues related to power…
Dubai’s Coral Hotels and Resorts opened its first hotel in Cape Town, South Africa. This is the first time the UAE home grown chain has opened a property in South Africa, and comes well before the FIFA World Cup to be held this summer. The Coral International Cape Town has been under construction since the first quarter of 2007, and cost about $40 million to build. The hotel is owned by Cii Hotel & Resorts…
