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 new President for Oberoi Hotels and Resorts says funding is on track for their planned new Middle East properties – a city hotel and beach resort in Abu Dhabi, a beach resort in Oman, city hotel in Dubai, and a property in Marrakech, Morrocco. Liam Lambert said “All the funding is in place. I think there was a slowdown for the property in Oman but so far our partners have not run out of cash.” Mr.…
CEO of British Airways announced they will operate bigger aircraft to handle the increasing number of pilgrims for this years Haj. Willie Walsh said “We will be operating aircraft with larger capacity to accommodate the pilgrims.” Walsh made the announcement during a three day visit in Riyadh. Walsh participated in celebratory events marking the return of direct flights from the Kingdom to London’s…
The hotels.com website published its global price index and it shows that average room rates in Dubai are the highest in the world in October 2009. According to the Hotels.com-Relaxnews Hotel Price Barometer, the average room rate for one night in Dubai was $226. Only New York had average prices this high. Thirty holiday destinations were included in the survey, and Dubai was one of two that saw a month to…
The Address Hotels & Resorts strengthened its UAE portfolio with the addition of The Montgomery Dubai Gulf Club, which opened on October 8, 2009. The Address is Emaar Hospitality Group’s five star premium hotel brand, and they will now manage and operate the boutique styled clubhouse. Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels and Resorts said “Address Montgomerie Dubai becomes the…
The Dubai Air show, which runs from November 15-19, will feature about 900 exhibitors and is expected to attract 50,000 visitors from almost 50 countries. Twenty five percent of exhibitors at the bi-annual event will be Middle Eastern companies. Two hundred exhibitors from 200 countries will participate in the show for the first time. First-time participants include Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Abu…
The Shindagha Heritage Village has seen a big increase in the number of tourists visiting. Dubai officials say the village is oldest area in Dubai. An Australian national, Diane Blackman, recently stopped in the emirate for two days and chose to spend her time at Shindagha Heritage Village instead of Dubai’s hotels and malls. While browsing the traditional Souk with her family she said “We wanted to get a…
Abu Dhabi’s government owned Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) announced the first tourist attractions will open on the Dh100 billion Saadiyat Island. TDIC director of Real Estate Services said “We are going to open Manarat Al Saadiyat, the 15,400 square meter visitor centre before the end of this year which will host a gallery and special events.” Kier Riemersma said the first stage of the…
Many international hotel chains are rebranding during the slack slowdown in business, according to senior hotel executives. Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, a Marriott’s business, is now promoting itself as a “global lifestyle brand, giving their business guests the added option of experiencing the neighborhood and culture. Senior vice president for Renaissance operations lifestyle brands said guests are…
Tunisia’s Minister for Tourism said in a press conference on Wednesday that tourism revenues increased to 3,349 million dinars in 2009. Mr. Khelil Laajimi said a 2% decrease in the number of European tourists will be offset by the number of Libyan and Algerian tourists, expected to reach 3 million this year. The drop in number of European visitors is due mainly to the combined effect of the economic crisis and…
Aldar Hotels and Hospitality will open seven hotels on Yas Island before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix event begins on November 1. Managing Director Paul Bell said they have 2,500 hotels rooms open on Yas Island for the F1 race, and “We are also operating a long-stay product. We have hired 3,000 staff for the hotels.” Mr. Bell said the formula one track runs underneath the Yas Hotel, which is managed by Aldar.…
The Tourism Development Investment Corporation (TDIC) announced plans for worker accommodation project for employees in the hotel industry. TDIC, the master developer of cultural, residential, and tourism destinations in the UAE, began work on Deyar Al Mafraq, which will open in stages beginning in 2011. The project will provide accommodations for all levels of employees in the hospitality sector, from…
Emirates Airlines, is expanding its Indian operations with particular focus on Kerala routes. The Dubai based carriers weekly flights from Kozhikode will nearly double to 11 while weekly flights out of Thiruvananthapuram will increase from eight to twelve. Emirates Airlines sales manager for South Kerala, Asha Subramanian, said the number of weekly flights out of Kerala will increase 32 per cent to 37 by…
The Rezidor Hotel Group is looking to expand its three star Park Inn brand. The company said it has found opportunities in the budget segment despite the difficult economic times. Rezidor operates three Radisson Hotels and has already signed two deals for the Park Inn brand this summer. Chief Executive of Rezidor said mid market hotels are less expensive to build and operate, so are often more profitable. Kurt…
The Tourism Development and Investment Corporation (TDIC) will appoint a contractor to construct the Louvre Musuem on Saadiyat Island by the end of the year. TDIC assistant development director said “By the end of the year an announcement will be made about the Louvre.” French architect Jean Nouvel designed the project which is expected to be complete in 2013. A short list of contractors bidding for the…
Prince Sultan bin Salman said the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) will develop a comprehensive three year plan to develop the tourism sector. Prince Sultan bin Salman is Chairman of the SCTA. The plan will involve decentralizing the Kingdom’s tourism sector and giving regional and local communities major roles. The Prince spoke about the plan while addressing media following participation…
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company completed work on its largest exhibition hall, and the UAE’s biggest indoor auditorium, at 7,920 square meters. Hall 12 was transformed into one of the most flexible event spaces in the world with installation of fully retractable automated tiered seating system. Hall 12 can seat up to 5,700 people. It will continue to be used as an exhibition and wedding hall but can…
A new report by Cushman & Wakefield Middle East Real Estate for the third quarter of 2009 forecasts that the number of tourist arrivals in the UAE will fall 1% this year but increase 5% in 2010. The total number of international tourists in 2008 was 9.4 million compared to 5.9 million visitors in 2003. This is a compound annual growth rate of ten per cent each year for the 2003-2008 period. The report…
The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Department began work on its first tourist guide of the emirate. Mohammad Lojab, head of the tourism promotion section, said the guide is an active and attractive means of promoting tourism. It will include complete information about hotels, tourism agencies, travel, shopping centers, parks, museums, and other commercial activities. Important sites like hospitals, museums, and…
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) launched its ‘Partners In Progress’ first generation stakeholder program, in order to achieve its goal of attracting 2.3 million tourists by 2012. The program will coordinate between ADTA and representatives of the tourism sector, and promote Abu Dhabi as a unique worldwide tourism destination. A launching ceremony was held at the Abu Dhabi Raha Beach Hotel and was…
General Authority of Civil Aviation said Tuesday that Crown Prince Sultan signed an SR498 million agreement to modernize the firefighting equipment at the Kingdom’s 278 airports. Prince Sultan is deputy prime minister of defense and aviation. He said “It’s an important step toward achieving the objectives of the General Authority of Civil Aviation.” He said the upgrade will help improve the efficiency and…
Oman Air is moving forward rapidly with its expansion plans while other players are struggling to cope with the impact of the economic recession. The airline is continuing with its ambitious expansion plan, expanding routes as well as its fleet of aircraft. Oman Air CEO Peter Hill took media representatives on a two hour flight over Muscat on their new acquisition, an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, and briefed them…
Oman Air received delivery of its brand new A330-300 aircraft last week and it features what is probably one of the poshest lavatories in the business. Hoteliermiddleeast.com reports the First Class cabin toilet includes a bidet. The WC is located behind the cockpit and only the pilot and First Class passengers are permitted to access it. It has luxury floors that look similar to a sandy beach and the…
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) announced details of new world class facilities and recreational amenities being developed on Abu Dhabi’s corniche. The UPC said the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi has developed a new identity for Abu Dhabi beaches. The enhancement program began more than a year ago and is being carried out by the UPC, Executive Affairs Authority, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Department…
Emirates Airlines launched its innovative Emirates Advantage payment system providing customers booking their flight online with more choices and flexibility. Selected credit card holders of Emirates Bank, Citybank, HSBC, ADCB, and NBD cards may purchase their ticket at 0 percent interest and pay for it in three monthly installments. Emirates vice president of commercial operations said “In the current…
