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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Safi Airways, the biggest privately owned airline in Afghanistan, will pursue expansion plans despite a turbulent political environment and unstable security situation in the country. Safi Airways is the only Afghanistan based airline certified the International Civil Aviation Organization, which means it meets required standards to land at international airports. New president and CEO for the airline said…
Jet Airways will resume flights from Jeddah and Riyadh on Monday following a five day long strike by its pilots. Jet Airways general manager said the airline’s pilots and management came to an agreement late Saturday. Management will rehire the two pilots who had been fired, their new union will be dissolved, and a special committee will be set up to investigate their grievances.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has announced new Haj rules aimed at reducing the threat of the H1N1 virus. The new rules are being established for pilgrims and their home countries according to a senior official at the Saudi embassy. These include submission of a certificate of H1N1 vaccination it is available before Haj, and a valid certificate of vaccination against seasonal influenza two weeks before…
Birmingham Airports 70th anniversary celebrations featured an Emirates’ Airbus A380 as its star attraction, highlighting dramatically the great progress air travel has made over the decades. Seventy years ago, Birmingham Airport’s first passengers took off in an 8 seat de Havilland Dragon Rapide aircraft. Seventy years later the Emirates Airbus A380 landed at the airport and many residents across the city were…
A spokesman for Austrian Airlines said their merger with Lufthansa will have “no immediate effect” on Middle East routes. Pia Stradiot said “The network will not change much, but there will possibly be some cuts. It is too early to tell at the moment.” The announcement of the merger came only five days ago, and Austrian Airlines will now assess its route table in the region. These consist of Dubai, Amman,…
Market research company Pro Leads data shows that hotel owners and operators across the Gulf will spend over $1.25 billion (Dh5 bn) on kitchens and laundries for new properties. UAE will spend about $427 million of this amount but as new projects are completed spending will decline to $390m in 2010. Proleads forecast that kitchen and laundry budgets in new hotels in other GCC countries will continue to…
Patrick Enz was appointed as new Group CEO for Rizon, the business aviation company based in the Middle East and UK. Mr. Enz has worked both in both the airline industry and business and executive aviation. Before starting his own business aviation consultancy, he was Vice President of Business Development at Jet Aviation Management AG in Zurich.
Sea and infrastructure projects worth over US $26 billion are being planned or in progress in the UAE which will help firm the country’s position as a global trade and logistics hub. According to a report from Standard Chartered Bank, expanding sea ports and airports is an important way the nation can achieve economic diversity. Senior MENA economist for Standard Charter said “We believe that the government…
Lebanon’s has enjoyed consistent tourism growth during the economic downturn, as evidenced by launch of additional flydubai flights during Eid Al Fitr. The lastest World Economic Outlook Report released by the International Monetary Fund forecasts a 3 per cent GDP growth in 2009 and four per cent GDP growth in 2010. The Lebanese government expects 6 per cent GDP growth this year. The tourism industry…
The Address Dubai Mall, a five star premium hotel directly linked to the Dubai Mall opened for its doors for guests today. The Dubai Mall is the world’s biggest shopping and entertainment destination. The Address Dubai Mall has a magnificent elliptical design that stands high near the mall and provides direct access to Sheikh Zayed Road. The Address Dubai Mall is the third address property in The Address Hotels +…
Air Arabia has partnered with an Egyptian company to launch a new budget carrier, allowing it to open a third hub, expanding outside of its home market. Air Arabia is the world’s biggest airline by market value Shares shot up nearly 4 per cent higher on news Air Arabia had set up a joint venture company with Egypt’s Travco group. Air Arabia is the world’s biggest airline by market value. The company said…
Air India’s low cost subsidiary Air India Express announced it is expanding services from Abu Dhabi with new flights to Amritsar in northern India. This will connect the UAE capital with nine India destinations on 36 weekly flights. The new service will operate three times a week and continue to Delhi after stopping in Amritsar. Abu Dhabi Airports Company Vice President of Operations said “India is one…
Under an agreement with Emirates, the Harbor Hotel & Residences at Dubai Marina will partner with Marriot International Portfolio on 15 September. The 52 story property will be rebranded the Dubai Marriot Harbor Hotel & Suites later this year. This is the second contract Marriot has finalized with Emirates, following an agreement to operate the 1,614 room JW Marriot Marquis Hotel Dubai, which is currently under…
Raddison Blu Hotel, Riyadh won a best business hotel award at the Middle East Business Travelers Awards. District director and general manager for the hotel said they are extremely proud to receive this recognition and it will help propel them to greater success. Mohamed Benamar said “Amid challenging times in this period of global recession, this acknowledgement confirms that we truly deliver our promise with…
Sharaf Travel is launching an online travel portal to tap into the increasing popularity of the UAE online travel business. Chairman of Sharaf Travel said they have gone the extra mile in “revamping the design and content of our online portal to make it user friendly and ensure it provides real value for money to our customers.” Salah Sharaf said UAE travelers can log onto the website, search for the best…
Accor Hospitality managing director for the Middle East said they plan to operate 44 hotels in nine Middle East countries by 2011. Christophe Landais, speaking at an iftar event at the Suitehotel Mall of the Emirates, hosted by the group said “We intend to further strengthen our position in the region by developing our core brands. The iftar even helped Accor promote the newly opened Suitehotel Mall, which has…
A Japanese embassy official said Qatar Airways may begin daily flights to Tokyo early in 2010, and a new runway is scheduled to become operational at Narita in March of next year. Deputy head of mission at the Japanese Embassy said Qatar Airways “currently operates daily flights to Osaka, but this new move will further develop aviation relations between Qatar and Japan.” Qatar Airways now flies to Kansai…
Germany’s Bavarian Hotels International (BHI) said they still plan to expand in the Middle East despite a delay in opening the regions biggest all suite hotel. The launch of the 2,100 Bavaria Executive Suites Dubai was postponed to March 2010 due to “prevailing market conditions”. The luxury hotel is billed as the largest all suite hotel in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. It was originally…
Flights from India to Dubai hit 300 because more than 300 pilots working for Jet Airways staged a sick in to protest the firing of two colleagues. All India radio reported at least 120 flights were affected including flights to Dubai, Singapore, Columbo, and Kuala Lumpur. Jet Airways called the staged sick in action by the pilots a “planned sabotage of operations.” The National Aviation Guild and Jet…
During Ramadan Makkah bustles with sleepless activity and life and traversing the streets can become almost impossible at peak times. The crowds are fuller at places with popular foods and treats people eat to break their fast at Maghreb – including ful (mashed fava beans, tameez (popular Afghani flatbread) and sobia (a traditional drink made from either raisins or bread). When the call for Maghreb prayer…
Flydubai will add more flights to Beirut during Eid Al Fitr, giving a boost to one of its busiest routes. Flydubai has scheduled extra flights on September 17, 18, 19, and 25 departing from Terminal 2 at 7:40 pm. The flights will arrive in Beirut at 10:15 pm local time. A return flight to Dubai will depart from Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut at 11 pm local time. The flight will land in Dubai at…
The EID break is expected to boost air traffic, which has been slow during Ramadan with more people choosing to stay at home. The slow traffic has moved airlines to offer lower fares and special promotions for the holidays. Ramadan is usually a slower month for travel, and September is also a slow month – this year they coincided. Travel manager of Sharaf Travel said “Compared to last year there has…
The first Fairmont hotel in Abu Dhabi will open in Abu Dhabi next month, increasing the capitals portfolio of luxury hotels. The 369 room hotel will feature the first Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Grill outside the UK, and a Frankie’s Italian Restaurant and Bar. The hotel will be located in the “between the bridges area”. The restaurants will open by the end of the month. The regional vice president…
Air India has set up a panel to investigate a fire in an engine of one of it Boeing 747 aircraft. The fire began while the Saudi bound plane was on the ground getting ready for departure. Air India said the panel will investigate “the cause of the fire and fix accountability”. The plane was preparing to fly to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and carrying 213 passengers and 16 crew members when it caught fire…
