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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Abu Dhabi has again made it to the list of top ten travel destinations in 2010 in the US travel guide, Frommer’s. The top ten listing is based on suggestions made by travel writers, editors, and Frommer's survey of reader’s favorite destinations. Frommer’s editors said the 2010 recommended destinations represents “a mix of emerging hot spots, under appreciated cities, and placed to visit before they are overrun…
Low cost carrier flydubai received its sixth aircraft in just over six months, a Boeing 737-800NG, which will begin service with its inaugural flight to Bahrain on Sunday, December 13th. The new aircraft will also operate the new Kathmandu route beginning on December 15th, the carrier’s tenth and eleventh destinations. Dubai based flydubai is scheduled to receive its next new aircraft in March 2010. Last…
Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammad Al Owais, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and Chairman of the National Council on Tourism and Antiquities (NCTA) presided over the first NCTA board of directors meeting in Dubai recently. Al Owais said this first meeting of the new federal tourism body is a historic one, laying the foundation for its future role as an umbrella organization covering all…
The Mafraq Hotel, which is currently undergoing construction and refurbishment, will be totally rebranded and reopen as the Ramada Abu Dhabi Mafraq Hotel. General Manager of the Mafraq Hotel said “We believe in the market regardless of all the financial problems arising globally.” Gassan Fares said Abu Dhabi continues to have a very strong market and the growth rate has increased over the past few…
Dubai hotel revenue per available room (RevPar) continues to be among the highest in the world. A Deloitte analysis of STR Global data shows that average hotel RevPar in Dubai was $155.36 (Dh570.17) in the first ten months of the year compared to the same period last year. Rob O’Hanlon, Tourism, Hospitality, and Leisure partner at Deloitte in the Middle East, said “The revenue per available room for the 10…
The latest Ernst & Young Middle East Hotel Benchmark survey shows that UAE hotels recorded the highest occupancy rates in the region during the January-September 2009 period. Abu Dhabi recorded 75 percent occupancy levels during this period, slightly higher than Dubai’s 71 percent occupancy. Dubai beach hotels had the highest occupancy levels in the region with year-to-date occupancy of 83 percent, followed…
Middle East and Africa (MEA) hotels account for 35 percent of Kempinski’s total international earnings in 2009. MEA President for Kempinski said this figure is 10 percent less than last year, but the region continues to be the most profitable for the Kempinski Group. Ulrich Eckhardt said “We are the youngest entrant – only 12 years, and currently have 14 properties operating in the region, but we still make…
The Abu Dhabi government has announced a new set of rules and guidelines applicable for any development on the emirates coastline. The Coastal Development Guidelines initiative is part of Pan Abu Dhabi 2030, or Vision 2030, and is being implemented by the Abu Dhabi’s Urban Planning Council (UPC). UPC Director-General Falah Al Ahbabi, said “The goal for the coastal development guidelines is to improve the…
Kempinski has decided to postpone the opening of the Palm Atlantis on Palm Jumeirah, due to the size and scale of the development. The five star hotel will be called Emerald Palace and was scheduled to open alongside Kempinski Residence serviced apartments next March. Kempenski has postponed the opening of the 240 room hotel for another 18 months due to concern about demand. President of Middle East and…
The Big Bus Company was officially launched in Abu Dhabi on Monday, although the company has been running tours for several weeks now. The Big Bus Company is an iconic symbol for London tourism and has been operating in Dubai for ten years. The red double decker bus tours major attractions in Abu Dhabi, starting at 9:00 am at Marina Hall, and ending at 5:30 pm. The bus passes Emirates Palace, crosses the…
Emirates Airlines raised more than $1 billion and now plans to receive its fifth Airbus A380 super jumbo next week, and another by the end of the year. Emirates Airlines is the biggest airline in the Middle East and the world’s top buyer of the A380 plane. The Dubai based carrier says it will receive four more of the double decker aircraft next year. Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said the airline…
Istithmar World, the investment arm of Dubai World said it was disappointed to lose its W Hotel in Manhattan in a foreclosure auction. The company said the loss is not connected to restructuring of Dubai World’s debt. A spokesman for Istithmar World said “We are disappointed that the lender has chosen this route as we felt that real progress was being made in negotiations with the various lenders to restructure…
Benyan Development Company, based in Abu Dhabi, won an AED120m ($32.6m) contract to renovate and extend the Mafraq Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The hotel will be branded the Ramada Abu Dhabi Mafraq, and renovations will include refurbishment of the hotels 120 rooms, and construction of a 129 room chalet block. The hotel is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2010. The investment firm The National…
The Middle East has shown significant interest in a $1 billion ($1.47bn euro) hotel fund launched by US based investment trust company, Waldeck Capital. The company launched the Global Hospitality Recovery Fund in March 2009 and it focuses exclusively on the premium end of the luxury market. The fund will purchase delinquent assets being disposed of by institutional investors, distressed assets in negative…
Mohammad Khamis Bin Hareb Al Muhari has been appointed the Director General of the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities (NCTA) by the Ministerial Council for Services. The council is chaired by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Council. Khamis has over 17 years of experience in tourism and international marketing, and…
Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Saudi based Siraj Capital signed an agreement on Tuesday to establish the first three Holiday Inn Express hotels in Saudi Arabia. They will be located in Madinah and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Knowledge Economic City, and Madinah Road in Jeddah. Under the agreement, it is expected that 12 more Holiday Inn Express hotels will be established throughout the Kingdom…
Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities announced contracts to establish five new museums have been approved during the commissions meeting on Tuesday. The museums will be located in Hail, Baha, Damman, Asir, and Tabuk. Prince Sultan said the SCTA also decided to introduce a new hotel classification system consistent with international standards, on December…
A summit of the six nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) heads of state will discuss plans for a $60 billion railway project that will link Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and later Oman. Construction of the new system will begin in 2011 and is planned for completion in 2017. The railway will provide transportation connections for GCC which currently depends on trucks, ships, and planes,…
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) said less than one percent of tourism jobs in the UAE are taken by Emirates despite a substantial investment in the leisure sector. As the UAE becomes less dependent on oil revenues, it is expected that tourism will account for nearly one third of the economy by 2030. However, tourists generally find they are served by Filipino or Indian tour guides and hotel staff and…
A tourist shipping line between the Iraqi port of Basra and Iranian port of Khorramshahr will be launched soon. The governor generals of Basra and Khuzestan agreed to the new Tourist Shipping line when the Iraqi delegation visited Khuzestan province. The two sides also signed Memorandum of Understandings and the agreed items include, among other things, increasing the trade volume in the Shalamanche border,…
The United Arab Emirates, a federation of the seven emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman,Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, has many landmarks that showcase its amazing past and promising future. One of the important religious and national landmarks is The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. It is one of the most significant architectural treasures in modern UAE. Dubai boasts the Burj…
1,000 Haj pilgrims on three different flights landed safely at Abu Dhabi National Airport on Monday. Sixteen more flights carrying 2,840 pilgrims are expected to arrive by December 8th. Returning pilgrim Mohammed Bakr said he traveled with Al Bateen Tours for Dh40,000, that none of the pilgrims had accidents, and no one is sick. Mr. Bakr complimented the UAE Haj official mission for requiring the tour…
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Beijing Tourism Administration (BTA) signed an accord to share and benefit from each country’s expertise regarding tourism. The accord was signed during a visit by BTA Director General Zhang Huiguang to the DTCM head office recently. Director Zhang headed a five member delegation on his first ever visit to Dubai where he and DTCM Director…
Premier Inn, the biggest hotel brand in the UAE, announced they are reducing room rates at its two properties in Dubai by 40 percent due to the global downturn. Daily rates for hotels at Dubai Investment Park and Dubai Silicon Oasis have been cut from AED495 to AED295, and this price is guaranteed for every Premier Inn room at the two hotels. The company explained in a statement that business travelers are…
