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 Port of La Goulette in Tunis was ranked 17th in the world as a cruise ship destination in 2008 according to a survey carried out by the “World Cruise Destinations” magazine. Renovations have modernized the port, which can now handle 433 berthing operations and transit 695,000 tourists, up from only 53,000 tourists in 1987. The port can now handle the worlds biggest ships (334 meters long and 60 meters…
A Korean musical and dance performance was held for the second time in the UAE, on Monday night in Abu Dhabi. ‘Vitality: A Grand Performance of Korean Traditional Music and Dance’ is part of ongoing efforts to promote cultural exchange between the UAE and South Korea. The event last took place in the UAE in 2000. The performance was well attended on Monday by many in the Korean community but also Emirates,…
The UAE is set to announce the much anticipated federal tourism and regulatory body which will represent the UAE’s tourism industry to the rest of the world. The National Council of Tourism will initially be developed within the Ministry of Culture, there will be coordination between the different tourism authorities in each emirate, and each emirate will have a member on its board. Government officials said…
US based Marriot International plans to more than double its portfolio of properties in the Middle East, by adding another 21 hotels (6,026 rooms) in the UAE by 2015. This will bring its portfolio of hotels to 71 or almost 20,000 rooms. Currently there are 27 Marriot International branded hotels (8,191 rooms) operating in the region. There are 44 hotels representing 10,800 rooms currently under construction or…
Dubai is reviewing a plan to centralize air traffic control in the Gulf region in order to reduce congestion. Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, HE Mohammed Abdullah Ahli, said a committee has been established to look into ongoing problems in the aerospace sector. Under consideration is a plan to create a centralized air traffic control agency like the one in Europe. He said “We have a…
Abu Dhabi tourism chiefs have set a new goal of attracting 2.3 million hotel guests to Abu Dhabi by 2012. Officials say their adjusted targets forecast a ten percent increase in tourist’s numbers next year and another 15 percent increase for 2011, and 2012. The ADTA expects tourist numbers will stay at about 1.5 million visitors despite the effect of the global economic crisis. Earlier this week the ADTA…
Etihad Airways will increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to Frankfurt from ten times a week to thirteen times a week beginning on December 12th. The national airline of the UAE will increase to double daily flights beginning on March 28, 2010. Etihad launched its flight service to Frankfurt in June 2005 and it has been among the most popular of its European services. Etihad Airways chief executive James…
General Manager of Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, Holger Schroth, said they have cut their average room rate by 12 percent compared to 2008 due to the competitive environment caused by the economic downturn. He said everyone is hoping that the crisis is bottoming out, but “I am not sure. Regarding the achievable room rates, in 2010 we will find ourselves on a level between those of 2008 and 2009. To get back…
A top executive for New Jersey based Windham Hotels and Resorts said they will introduce their global brand portfolio to the Middle East soon. President and chief executive of the hotel group, Eric Danziger, said they have an aggressive strategy for the Middle East and Asia. Earlier in the week the company announced it will open a 12th Ramada in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and signed an agreement for a new hotel in…
Saudi Health Minister said on Wednesday that nine people out of more than 500,000 thousand people arriving for the annual haj pilgrimage have been diagnosed with H1N1 swine flu. There has been increasing concern about the possibility of a major outbreak occurring during haj, when more than three million Muslims arrive in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia, in mid November. Minister Rabeeah said…
The Dubai National Air Travel Agency (DNATA) was set up in 1959 to help provide personnel and systems for reservations, departure control and IT in order to give Emirates a boost. It is known by the maternal nickname, ‘mother of Emirates Airline”. Over the years the company became such an accomplished and diversified provider of airport and travel services that it became known as ‘the airline without…
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has taken the top award at this year’s World Travel Awards (WTA), being voted World’s Leading Airline by more than 180,000 travel industry professionals from over 175 countries. The World Travel Awards recognise the very best airline, hospitality and tourism brands in the world, with industry experts vetting nominations for their customer relations,…
Al-Faisal Holding, a family run firm in Qatar, will switch its focus to the hospitality sector, including buying hotels in big North America, Europe, and big Arab cities. The company plans to expand its hotel business around the world. Al-Faisal Holding is a holding company for businesses ranging from entertainment and construction to information technology. Shiekh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani said they will…
Dubai has a history of pioneering some of the worlds’ most exciting and extraordinary developments, and 2010 will be no exception. The emirate is planning to complete a host of ground-breaking projects in 2010 including the Al Maktoum International Airport and the launch of Meydan, one of the world’s largest purpose built horse racing destinations. Also the world’s tallest hotel building, the 72 floor Rose…
A top official said Sharjah will spend over Dh10 billion to expand its tourism attractions, including projects in Khor Fakkan, Dibba, and Kalba. The projects will be implemented in stages through 2010 and will include hotel development, entertainment sites, heritage areas, and mixed use projects. Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA)…
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (SIDA) has begun talks with banks in order to raise capital for investment in tourism projects worth Dh10 billion. SIDA chief executive, Marwan J. Al Sarkal, confirmed that “Yes we have started talks with banks to raise capital for the development of tourism projects in the emirate of Sharjah.” He said the investment will probably be obtained through an Islamic…
Abu Dhabi’s Cristal Hotels and Resorts is planning to open 25 new hotels across GCC and Asia over the next five years including a new three star budget hotel concept focused on business travelers. The hotelier’s CEO, Peter Blackburn, said “We have zeroed in on these two regions because we believe the Middle East and Asia are the only markets still booming in these recessionary times.” He said the economies in…
Ahmed Mohammed Al Khan, head of Global Banking Corporation (GBCORP) said the tourism sector in Bahrain is likely to double in importance, increasing to 25 percent of the country’s total income by 2020. Mr. Al Khan spoke about the tourism sector on the final day of the Second Annual Urban Waterfronts Conference at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel. He emphasized the importance of recognizing Bahrain’s heritage and…
Projects underway in the western part of Abu Dhabi will help increase tourism numbers to the emirate. The President, his Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Saturday the projects will develop the area economically, culturally, and socially. Shaikh Khalifa spoke at the tourism projects while touring the region to inspect petroleum, gas, developmental, housing, architectural, and tourism…
The fifteenth Dubai Shopping Festival will begin on January 28 and offer a month of bargains and entertainment. Dubai Summer Surprises will be held between June 17 and August 7. The dates for the two events were announced at the World Travel Market 2009 in London. Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Shopping Festival Office, Laila Suhail, said “World Travel Market 2009 is the ideal opportunity to showcase the…
Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) net profit increased 27.8 percent during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, despite the biggest drop in hotel room revenues in six years. ADNH, which owns Le Meridien, the Hilton, and Al Diar line of hotels in Abu Dhabi, reported net profits increased to Dh372.5 million (US$101.4m), up from Dh291.5m) for the same period last year. ADNH chairman Saif al Hajeri…
Nasair opened a new sales office in Jeddah, at the corner of King Abdul Aziz and Hera’a streets. Waleed Mohammed Al-Sheikh, nasair’s marketing and communication director, said “nasair expects to open four sales offices across Jeddah as part of an overall effort to compliment city travel demands on the Kingdom’s first economic and low cost carrier.” Nasair will open sales offices in Medina, Makkah, Damman, and…
A group of Italian tourists visited the ancient Nabataen town of Madain Saleh and were amazed by the splendor and charm of the valleys surrounded by the stunning shapes of various geological formations. Madain Saleh is a very popular destination for western tourists – more than 75,000 visited last year including Americans, Europeans, and Japanese. Archaeologist Mutlaq Suleiman said “They were very happy and…
Over 400 exhibitors from the Middle East are taking part in the World Travel Market (WTM) at London’s ExCel, which starts Monday and runs until November 12th. This is the world’s second biggest travel and tourism gathering, and will be inaugurated by London Mayor Boris Johnson. Last year more than 49,963 visitors attended the four day business to business event. More than one third of the participants…
