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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Accor Hospitality Middle East again increased its growing Middle East portfolio with the opening of Ibis Amman in Jordan, and Ibis Muscat in Oman. Ibis Amman is the first internationally branded hotel in Jordan, and Ibis Muscat is the first Accor hotel in Amman. The new hotels are part of Accors regional plans to operate 45 hotels by 2011, and its longstanding strategic partnership with Kuwait based Action…
The Big Bus Company will begin operating nine traditional double-decker buses for tourists in Abu Dhabi for the first time tomorrow. The family owned company has been operating open-top sightseeing bus tours in London since 1991 and in Dubai since 2002. Marketing manager for Double Decker Bus Tours, Dubai said “Initially, we are bringing in eight-nine buses. Let’s see the response of people in the first phase,…
Gulf Air said no passengers were in danger following a near miss midair collision with a Saudi plane. A Saudi Arabian Airlines plane came within 800 vertical feet (200 feet less than industry guidelines) of a Gulf Air flight from Bahrain carrying 180 passengers. The Saudi Arabian Airlines flight, which was carrying 377 passengers, was warned by air traffic controllers. An airport official explained the…
A new charter company based in Fujairah, Abulhoul Aviation, was launched on Sunday. The company will begin operations in January on a Cessna 206 Station Air. Its first flight will depart from Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, and arrive in Fujairah International Airport. General Manager of Fujairah National Airport, Khalid Al Mazroui, said “We will provide assistance and services to make such operations are…
Emirates announced it will begin direct flights to Tokyo, Japan, beginning March 28th, 2010. The new flight service comes seven years after Emirates launched operations to Osaka, Japan, where the carrier currently flies daily. Tokyo currently will be Emirates 102nd destination and follows recent launch of operations to Durban and Luanda. Emirates Airline will fly five times a week, non stop between Japan and…
Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, said Sharjah will keep working on establishing tourism projects and developments in order to attract more tourists and investors, despite the ongoing financial crisis. He said the first of the new tourism oriented projects will be announced in the first quarter of 2010. Sharjah’s participation in this…
Travel agents in Saudi Arabia say there is more demand for hotels and resorts abroad because many families prefer to spend the Eid-Al-Adha holidays outside the country, in part because it is less expensive. Dakhil Al-Ali Tayyar at Al-Tayyar Travel Agency said demand is increasing every day, especially as the Eid Al-Adha holidays approaches. Prices are a major reason Saudis are choosing to go abroad, since…
Four Seasons is currently in talks with developers about its first hotel in the UAE – in Dubai, and at the same time is reconsidering a planned project with the Al Futtaim Group. Four Seasons is also considering opportunities to expend in Abu Dhabi. Saudi Prince Al-Waleed’s Kingdom Holding and Cascade Investment, which is controlled by Bill Gates, owns Four Seasons. Four Seasons Vice President of Sales and…
A recent poll shows opinions are divided about growth in the region’s aviation industry next year, and whether the global crisis will continue to keep travelers at home. An online survey carried out on the last day of the Dubai Airshow on Thursday showed that only 15.9 percent of people believe that Middle Eastern Airlines will see significant passenger growth in 2010. 33.6 percent of respondents think carriers…
Dubai’s Jumeirah Group will open its first hotels in Brazil because demand is increasing due to rising incomes in Latin America’s biggest economy, the 2014 World Cup, and 2016 Olympic Games. Senior Vice President of development for the Americas at Dubai Group, James Erlacher, said “The time is right for us to be entering the Brazilian market.” Jumeirah plans to operate hotels first in Brazil’s biggest cities -…
The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix event on Yas Island last month contributed to Abu Dhabi International Airport’s impressive passenger and cargo growth rates during October. The Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC) released figures on Saturday showing the airport again bucked global recessionary trends recording a seven percent increase in passenger traffic in the first ten months of this year…
Saad Al-Qurashi, head of the Haj and Umrah Commission at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said this there will be a sharp drop in the number of Saudi and non-Saudi domestic pilgrims. He said “There will be 70 percent fewer domestic pilgrims this year compared to last year.” He said about 68,000 Haj permits have so far been issued to domestic pilgrims, and this includes expatriates from neighboring…
Travel agents expect that bookings will increase for Eid al Adha, following a slow travel season this summer. The travel industry was greatly affected by the global financial crisis and swine flu fears, but many are optimistic that things are turning around for the Eid and National Day holidays, which begin on November 26 and end on December 3rd. Travel manager at Sharif Travel in Dubai said “It’s looking a…
A YouGov Siraj poll of over 1,200 leisure and business travelers showed that 31 percent of respondents who had chosen not to travel in the past are now making plans. People are now much more optimistic about making travel plans, with about 46 percent planning long haul business trips and 35 percent planning leisure trips over the next month. These numbers represent a big increase following the international…
The Middle East’s largest airline, Emirates Airline will start a fourth daily flight to Bangkok, Thailand next month. The flight, which is part of the airlines expansion in Asia-Pacific, will start on December 2. The flight will operate on four wide bodied jets, including the A380 superjumbo, capable of carrying 488 passengers. This fourth flight to Bangkok gives Emirates Airlines the biggest capacity…
STR Global Hotel Industry analysts calculate that there are currently 437 hotels under construction in the Middle East and Africa regions (MENA) representing more than 74,000 rooms. There were 634,226 hotel rooms in the MENA region in October, and another 120,000 in the planning and construction pipeline, according to the latest figures. UAE had the biggest number of hotel rooms in the active pipeline at 53,789…
Airlines are coping with the holiday rush as government offices and schools close for Eid Al-Adha holiday on Wednesday, and people depart for domestic and international destinations. A leading travel agent in Riyadh said flights to Dubai and Cairo are already fully booked, and airlines will be adding more flights in the next few days. Saudi Arabian Airlines currently has three flights to Dubai, but will add two…
Dubai Global Village announced an exciting calandar of events for its 14th edition at a press conference in yesterday. Dubai Global Village is a member of Tatweer Dubai. The 14th edition will run from November 22 to February 27, 2010 with more than 45 countries from around the world participating in the event. Project Director for Global Village, Saeed Ali Bin Redha, said “Global Village is a pioneering venue…
Dubai’s budget carrier flydubai said it will offer holiday packages, insurance, and other ancillary benefits in order to expand its business and strengthen revenues. CEO Ghaith al Ghaith said “We certainly realize the potential of the ancillary revenues and hope to extend into that market by providing holiday packages, insurance, and other services.” Ghaith said the airline does not have any immediate…
Budget carrier flydubai will expand its route further next month when it launches a twice daily flight to Bahrain. The new route will start on December 13 with a one way ticket starting at AED250. CEO of flydubai, Ghaith al Ghaith said the timing couldn’t be better for starting the new route because Bahrain is emerging as a profitable business and travel destination. Al Ghaith said flydubai will add another…
The UAE government signed a non-binding agreement with six other states and the European Commission outlining principles to liberalize the global airline industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the agreement is aimed at boosting the airline industry which has lost US$53 billion (Dh194.66bn) over the past eight years. It would change a 65 year old bilateral system that restricts the way…
{mosimafe}Abu Dhabi has become a major player in the global conference industry, which is worth US$56 billion (Dh205.66bn) a year, thanks to the investment of a few thousand dirhams. Rupert Murdoch and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair are two high profile men that have become part of the exhibition scene in the UAE capital, along with thousands of other delegates from industries ranging from fashion to…
Intercontinental Hotels Group (IH”G) opened two hotels on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi – Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites. Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi is located in the middle of Yas Island near the Abu Dhabi International Airport, and within walking distance of the new F1 Yas Marina Circuit. The hotel has 164 suites including studios, two bedroom suites, and all are have kitchens and access to a 24 hour…
Abu Dhabi’s representatives at the World Travel Market in London are reporting a resurgence of interest from UK’s outbound market. The five star Shangri La Hotel in Qaryat, Al Beri, is one company that will benefit from negations currently under way between two leading UK operators. Director of Sales and Marketing for Shangri La Hotel, Levent Tekun, said “We found the level of enquiries is of a much higher…
