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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Dubai’s new low cost carrier (LCC) flydubai is still committed its new flight plans for India, despite delaying three of its routes this month. CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said “India will be operational. We are committed to operating [routes] to India.” Operational issues last month forced the LCC to postpone all three of its new routes to Coimbatore, Chandigarh, and Lucknow. Those passengers affected by the…
Air Arabia will open the new three star 300 room Centro Hotel at Sharjah Airport in April 2010. The airline said that concrete for all four floors of the hotel is finished, and they expect the hotel will be completed below budget. Air Arabia Chief Executive Adel Ali said the Centro by Rotana is an important part of the airlines expansion strategy. He said “In addition to enhancing the services offered…
Sama Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s low cost airline, will expand its fleet and add new destinations soon according to a senior airline official. Sama’s director of marketing said “We are currently reviewing options for adding new aircraft to our fleet and adding new destinations to the sub continent.” Faisal Al-Duhaim said their fleet of seven B737 aircraft now serves eight destinations in the Kingdom and seven…
Tibet state media yesterday reported a record 1.2 million tourists visited the country last month. Tourists are returning to the region following 17 months of deadly unrest. In March 2009 China banned travel to Tibet after riots broke out in the Lhasa capital, marking the 49th anniversary of a failed revolt. The state media report said last month “We achieved the highest performance in terms of the number…
Lodging Econometrics reported that the Middle East will see 99 new hotel openings with 25,829 hotel rooms in 2009, and most of the new openings will be occur in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Lodging Econometrics, an international firm that tracks all hotel real estate, forecasts that 110 hotels with 31,725 rooms will open in 2010. During the first quarter of 2009 68 new hotels with 11,924 guest rooms opened in the…
Sun International, the hotel and resorts company based in South Africa, is seeking more tourists from the Middle East as it attempts to build up new markets during the decline in demand from Europe. There has been more interest in South Africa recently as a tourist destination. The soccer World Cup will be held there next year and the former cruise liner QE2 will be docked in Cape Town, South Africa for 18…
The number of people making the umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia has fallen 30% due to swine flu related travel restrictions. Visa applications for travel to Saudi Arabia during umrah have been suspended by Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. Fursan Travel Company, based in Saudi Arabia, is concerned about the affect this will have on the economy. CEO Roger Pfund said “The decision to ban people travelling due to the…
The number of visitors attending the Jeddah Ghair summer festival this year was disappointingly low. The city’s director of cultural affairs attributed the low turnout to insufficient funds and not enough businesses sponsoring activities at the festival. Samijr Nawar said Jeddah Mayor has been advised about how to find sufficient financing for the festival next summer. Mr. Nawar said in northern Obhur…
Reel Cinemas, LLC will open 12 m ore Reel Cinemas by the end of the year to complete a huge 22 screen megaplex project that will seat 2,800. Reel Cinemas LLC is a joint venture of Emaar Retail and Singapore based premier entertainment provider Cathay Organization Holdings, Ltd. After the new Reel Cinemas are complete at Dubai Mall it will be the biggest move complex in the UAE, covering more than 150,000…
Abu Dhabi municipality has started a month long face lift of a popular Abu Dhabi beach in order to accommodate an increased number of visitors expected this summer. The beach is popular because its entrance fee is very low compared to the exorbitant rates of private beaches and hotels. The number of visitors is expected to surge dramatically this season with the closure of a nearby public beach – Ras…
A new US hotel brand will make its debut in the Middle East with the launch of a new hotel in Abu Dhabi. The Aloft hotel will be located near the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) and offer designer style and accessible technology at an affordable price to the business traveler. It will provide guests a self service check in facility. General Manager for Aloft Abu Dhabi said “We have the…
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the air will be filled with less carbon dioxide this year because of reduced air flights caused by the economic slowdown. Global aviation emissions will drop 6.5% to 623 million tons of carbon dioxide. Airlines, executive jets, and airforces around the world are expected to reduce their annual contribution to emissions this year by 43 million tons.…
Many foreign buyers are interested in various hotel properties in Dubai, but discouraged by the limited availability of loans. CB Richard Ellis manager Amine Hamdani said the return on investment in 5 star hotels is much better in Dubai than in Paris. She said Dubai properties generate about 35% net income for investors compared to 15% for properties in France. Hamdani explained while more international…
Former Bangladesh cricket captain liked the dishes at a Surrey restaurant in the UK so much, he ordered several delivered via airmail to Dubai. Captain Habibul Bashar ate at the Amish Indian Restaurant in Surrey England during the Twenty20 competition in June. Mr. Bashar made the special order for a party he his hosting for around 50 of his friends and family. The owners of the UK restaurant, Amin and Sham…
The Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association (PALPA) announced it will not accept the pay raise just announced by management of Pakistan International Airlines, unless their contract pilots are regularized. Vice President for PALPA said management has put them in a difficult situation because they are bound to distribute Rs226 million to PALPA members but on the other hand, “the contract of more than 80 pilots…
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation will celebrate Independence day in an appropriate manner with a number of activities. A flag-hoisting ceremony will take place at Flashman’s hotel and all motel and tourist information centers. The PTDC is also offering a tour to Islamabad for the SOS Children Village of Rawalpindi on 14 August 2009.
The UAE is one of five countries to welcome Chinese tourist parties for the first time ever beginning on 15 September. This follows signing of an Approved Destination Status (ADS) agreement last month between the UAE and China. The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Beijing Tourism Administration also signed a memorandum of tourism cooperation. CEO of Desert Adventure Tourism…
Abu Dhabi added four more major trade shows to its portfolio to be held over the next year. The event organizer, Nexus Global Events, said more than 20,000 visitors will attend the four shows. The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition (ADNEC) will host the Middle East Broadcast Broadcast and Middle East Television shows this November, and the Sports Arabia and Franchise Arabia next year. The MICE industry now…
The number of flights at Kuwait International Airport increased 25% to 9,288 in July – compared to the same month last years. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said this represents a 26% increase in the number of passengers. A statement issued by a CAA authority said non-commercial flights fell 17%. The number of passengers coming through the airport reached 901,812 compared to 718,093 in July 2008. Air…
The New West End Company, which represents about 600 hotels and retail outlets forecasts there will be about 140,000 tourists from the Middle East shopping in London’s most exclusive shops over the next three months. They are expected to spend about 11% more than they did during the same period last year. Five star hotels in London are trying to make their Arab guests feel more at home by hiring Arabic…
Bahrani and Qatar governments discussed buying a stake in Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson’s space tourism company. A private group from Abu Dhabi and a Saudi Arabian party also considered buying a stake in the company. Virgin Galactic president said “We had discussions with lots of people, but we are not commenting on who we had discussions with.” An industry source said at one point there were four…
Syria’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs said the country’s tourism and real estate sector remain strong and have not been affected by the economic crisis. Abdullah Al-Dardari spoke about the tourism sector in advance of an investment conference scheduled for tonight. The Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Construction and Housing are coordinating the event. Areas of discussion are to include Islamic…
Hotels and major companies are seeing a big fall in demand for Ramadan tents and due to the economic slowdown. Many companies that previously sponsored large tents for community use are spending loss and others have reduced provision of Iftar for their staff. Some hotels are setting up tents indoors to eliminate the cost of an air condition plant for outdoor tents. The holy month is expected to begin on 22…
Jumeirah Group, the luxury hospitality company, yesterday appointed Clive Doble as London Sales Director. Mr. Doble will have an important role in increasing room revenues, occupancy, and market share for both the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel and Jumeirah Carlton Hotel. Previously he worked for as a sales manager in London. He also has worked in the travel industry in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
