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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Interior contracting company Depa finalized an AED207 million contract to fit out all guest rooms, suites, and public areas in the Conrad Hotel, Dubai. The luxury hotel is scheduled for completion in 2012 and will be built on Sheikh Zayed Road. The contract includes work on all 500 guest rooms, suites, lobbies, executive lounges, two ballrooms, 11 meeting rooms, and a business center. Depa chief executive…
The Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh, a Rosewood Hotel will introduce a month long Canadian Food festival, featuring Canadian meats and seafood every day. The festival will be open for dinner between October 5-15 at the hotels Crystal restaurant. A Canadian night will be offered every Wednesday and Friday at the Brasseire, The Canadian food festival is the first of its kind in the Kingdom giving Riyadh…
Local Air India offices have stopped making new bookings because the airlines closed flights until October 15 due to the pilots strike. A major travel agency executives said “Even if we want, we cannot make new bookings as the flights are closed on the system.” There were no incoming or outgoing flights from the Kingdom on Air India and passengers have been referred to other international…
A World Tourism Organization (WTO) senior official said the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi and Dubai is already showing signs of recovering and will soon be out of the recession doldrums. Amr Abdel Ghaffer said the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi and Dubai was impacted by the economic downturn but in a limited way and the effects are disappearing noticeably. Mr. Ghaffer said “I expect the number of tourists to the…
Air India pilots called of their strike on its fifth day, after 180 pilots called in sick in protest of planned pay cuts. The strike caused dozens of flight cancellations and delays and a temporary freeze on new bookings. Captain V.K. Bhalla, who represented the striking pilots said “The strike is being called off in view of the assurances by the Civil Aviation Minister that status quo will…
Kuwait based Jazeera Airways is increasing its capacity again by increasing its Dubai to Bahrain flight service from three times a day to four times a day by the end of October. Jazeera previously boosted its Dubai to Abu Dhabi service to twice daily. The airline now operates six flights a day between Dubai to Kuwait. The airline continues to move forward with its growth plans and is better able to generate…
Kuwait will triple capacity at its international airport by building a new passenger terminal at an estimated cost of 213 million dinars ($2.72 billion). The new terminal is scheduled for completion in November 2016 and will have an annual capacity of 13 million passengers. This will bring the airports total annual passenger capacity to 20 million people. Minister of Public Works Faisal Al Ostad said four…
Tour operators are hoping that the number of Russian visitors to Dubai will increase again in 2009. Last year there was a 21 per cent increase in the number of Russian tourists to Dubai. Russian based Natalie Tours CEO said “Dubai has attracted 51,000 Russian tourists so far this year, which is at a par with the numbers last year. We still have three months to improve that.” Natalie Tours is hosting a…
An official with the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said Dubai must revise its goal of reaching 15 million tourists by 2015 because of the global economic crisis. Executive Director for Business Tourism, Hamad Mohammed bin Mejren, said “if we do not reach our target of attracting 15 million tourists by 2015, we will work hard to reach the closest that we can get to our original tourists…
Dubai International Airport passenger traffic increased 10.7 per cent to 3,729,879 in August 2009, compared to 3,368,260 for the same month last year. This is third consecutive month of double digit growth in passenger traffic. July passenger traffic increased 12.6 per cent and June traffic increased 10.3 per cent. It is the second time this year that passenger traffic at the airport exceeded 3.7 million.…
Dubai International Airport passenger traffic increased 10.7 per cent to 3,729,879 in August 2009, compared to 3,368,260 for the same month last year. This is third consecutive month of double digit growth in passenger traffic. July passenger traffic increased 12.6 per cent and June traffic increased 10.3 per cent. It is the second time this year that passenger traffic at the airport exceeded 3.7 million.…
Abu Dhabi is getting ready for its first Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix race on November 1. Numerous events will take place in the weeks before the race including a series of concerts, a Brazilian style street festival, and a giant cinema screen. The ‘Amazing’ series of events will start on October 16 on the Corniche and Yas Island and finish with a performance by the Aerosmith band on November 1 after the…
The Air India pilot’s strike is entering its third day and impacting passengers from Saudi Arabia. There have been numerous cancellations of incoming and outgoing flights. Air India operates 46 flights from the Kingdom – 14 from Jeddah and 16 each from Damman and Riyadh. An airline official said a flight from Mumbai scheduled to arrive in Jeddah was cancelled and so the outgoing flight from Jeddah to Delhi…
Six Senses Hotels and Resorts will develop its first resort in the Middle East – a 44 room villa near the Zighy Bay resort on the Musandam Peninsula in Oman. General Manager Rochelle Kilgariff said the spa will be developed on a plateau above Sense on the Edge fine dining restaurant. The restaurant is situated in the mountains surrounding the resort. The restaurants executive chef said if the project goes ahead…
Five star carrier Qatar Airways has shown again its consistent high levels of service after being named the Best Business Class Airline in China at the China Travel & Meeting Industry Awards. Travel Weekly China organized the awards. Qatar Airways won twice as many votes as any other airline. The awards began in 2002 and are widely recognized by industry peers. Over 62,000 attendees at the recent China…
Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa is delighting diners with their ‘Dinner in the Sky’ dining experience, which suspends a table in the air 50 meters above the beach, loaded with food, 22 guests, chef, and waiter. The idea for ‘Dinner in the Sky’ began two years ago and is operated by Mindset Media and Event Horizon. It will launch on 4 October 2009. The hotel’s food and beverage director Thomas Kathman said…
The growth of the spa industry and appeal of old style Turkish steam baths promise to revive Old Istanbul bath houses. Following decades of neglect developers are spending millions of dollars buying and restoring Istanbul’s best hammans (steam baths). There has been a surge of interest among Turks in Ottoman customs and developers are expecting rising tourist numbers. Turkey had 26.3 million visitors in 2008…
BMI, the only British Airline with direct flight service from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, to London, Heathrow, celebrated four years of service to the Kingdom at an Iftar event in Riyadh. BMI said customers flying in business class from London can now check in until 30 minutes before departure time at the new Premium Check-in area in bmi Number One Heathrow.
Residents in the Kingdom set aside their swine flu worries to enjoy Eid activities last week. Executive Manager of Al-Shallal Theme Park in Jeddah said the number of visitors increased about 20% to 500,000 compared to last year. Jungle Land owner said he had the same number of visitors this year as he did for Ramadan last year. Haltham Nosair said “There is no doubt that people fear crowded areas, as they are…
Lifestyle hotels, a new generation of properties emphasizing modern design and a less formal approach, are planning to expand in the Middle East. Industry executives say the region is becoming a significant market for the new lifestyle brands. Spain’s Fuenzo “has two projects confirmed in Beirut and Damascus. The group is negotiating projects in Jordan, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and…
Nakheel, the owner of QE2 is in talks with port authorities in South Africa about the safety of docking the cruise liner in Capetown. Capetown authorities earlier this month said space limitations make it unsafe for QE2 to dock at the city’s terminals. Nakheel purchased the luxury cruise liner for $100 million in 2007 and had planned to move it to Cape Town before work begins transforming it into a luxury…
Dubai Metro is launching ten stations giving visitors an easy, convenient way to tour Dubai. Tour operators say the new service will boost the tourism trade. Dubai Metro is accompanied by a tour guide and gives passengers the option of jumping off at various points. City tours will be available to everyone after all the lines are fully developed. Trips will merge the Metro tour with an abra ride or dhow…
Authorities at Cairo Airport reinforced swine flu testing procedures on Friday as thousands of pilgrims will be returning home from holy sites in Saudi Arabia. Authorities were preparing for about 15,000 arrivals on Friday aboard 30 flights and another 115,000 are expected to return over the next few days. Airport official Hassan Shaaban said “Doctors have been put on flights accompanying the pilgrims home.…
A new report by STR Global shows the UAE accounts for nearly 50 per cent of the planned new hotels in the Middle East and Africa. There are a total of 468 planned hotels (pipeline) which represents 126,464 rooms, and 47 per cent or 59,543 of these are located in the UAE. STR Vice President for content management Duane Vinson said “In the Middle East, the UAE is exploding on the scene with four times the…
