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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Tourism growth has slowed in Abu Dhabi but continues to grow at a rate of 6%, despite a 20% decrease in the number of incoming air passengers. The lower passenger numbers were first observed in January and this trend became worse after the swine flu began to spread. Travel agents have not yet encountered serious difficulties according to a senior official. Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Travel and Tourism…
Seventy Emirati students are now participating in Abu Dhabi’s three week summer youth tourism programme, which began yesterday. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has partnered with the Armed Forces Officers Club to offer the program which will develop the student’s understanding of the hospitality industry, and leadership and teamwork skills. Students will receive hands on practical instruction in hospitality…
Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) announced that its customer complaints handling system, which was first introduced in 2000, is now ISO certified (1002:1004). DTCM is the second governmental organization in Dubai to receive this recognition for managing complaints. A representative Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance gave the certification to DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin…
Amadeus appointed Antoine Medawar the new Vice President for the Middle East region. Amadeus is a leading technology and distributions provider throughout the world. The appointment is aimed at boosting its regional growth and further expanding market share in the Middle East. Amadeus is the sole GDS provider for 13 carriers in the Arab Air Carriers Association. Mr. Medaware will be responsible for…
Dubai based hotels investment company Nakheel Hotels opened the Turnberry – a luxury collection resort in the west of Scotland, and the W Washington DC in the US Capital city. Nakheel Hotels said the Turnberry golf resort reopened on Thursday joining the Luxury Collection brand. Between Thursday and 19 July the Turnberry will host the Open Championship for the fourth time on its Alisa golf course. The W…
Abu Dhabi Municipality inspectors fined the head chef at Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi for storing an out of date tub of yogurt in the kitchen fridge. The British chef, identified only as PH, was fined AED 92,000 ($27,000). His lawyers maintain the yogurt was only one day past its expiration date and have appealed the verdict at the Criminal Court of Appeal. In his appeal to the court, PH said “I am an…
Armani Hotels & Resorts is recruiting 600 hospitality professionals for the Armani Hotel Dubai, which will be located within Burj Dubai. The new luxury hotel is a partnership between Armani Hotels & Resort, Dubai based Emmar Properties, and luxury goods group Giorgio Armani. A recruitment drive is being carried out across 16 countries to ensure a cosmopolitan staff serves the hotel. The Armani Hotel Dubai…
Jet Airways launched daily direct Jeddah to Mumbai service on Tuesday. The carrier also offers flights from Doha, Muscat, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain to major cities in India. The Jeddah to Mumbai route will operate on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft which offers world class service, state of the art personalized entertainment, and gourmet cuisine. Jet Airways Vice President for the Gulf and Middle East said…
Travel industry sources say demand for air travel tickets and holiday tour packages in Qatar is increasing as fears of swine flu decline among the public. An official from a leading travel agency said few people are talking about the swine flu now, and “We have seen an increase in demand for air tickets and our summer package over the past two weeks.” With the initial outbreak of swine flu many potential…
Flydubai began flights to its fifth destination - Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city. The first flydubai flight to Aleppo, FZ223, departed Dubai International Airport at 0800 hours and landed at Aleppo International Airport at 10:30 local time. The flight took three hours. The return flight departed 45 minutes later. With the addition of Aleppo to its operational routes, flydubai now flies to the four…
Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement following Etihad Airway's launch of four weekly fights to Istanbul, Turkey on 1 June 2009. Under the agreement Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways will put its two letter ‘EY’ code on Turkish Airlines flights from Istanbul to Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways chief executive said the Abu Dhabi-Istanbul flight has been very popular since the new service…
Kuwaiti based Jazeera Airways announced that it has stopped direct flights from Bahrain to Iran due to factors beyond its control. The airline said the Iranian government issued new regulations forcing it to cancel its direct services. Instead, the carrier will offer an indirect flight which first stops in Kuwait before landing in Masshaad, Iran. Jazeera Airways did not provide further details but said in…
British Airways will increase capacity on its service to Jeddah during its winter schedule by 50%. The move follows the UK carrier’s reentry into the Saudi Arabia market on 1 June 2009. The airline discontinued Saudi services in 2005 when high oil prices made the route commercially unprofitable. British Airways area commercial manager for the Middle East said during their first two months of operations…
Visitors arriving at Dubai International Airport (DIA) can now get information directly from the Visitor Information Bureau (VIB). The VIB is now open at DIA’s terminal 3 and can provide business and leisure visitors with information about hotels and events in Dubai. Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is operating the new VIB as part of their ongoing efforts to establish a one stop…
Dubai World is planning to dock the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) ship at the Cape Town V&A waterfront and convert into a luxury hotel. According to a Johannesburg newspaper, the company is applying for berthing rights and in talks with a South African company to manage the hotel. A South African tourism department spokesperson said they are aware of the company’s plans, but several approvals must be made before…
Flydubai, Dubai’s new budget carrier, announced they are postponing launch of new Indian services, which were scheduled to begin in July. CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said they had planned to begin services in July to Lucknow, Coimbatore, and Chandigarh, but “due to operational issues, we have had to delay these flights.” He did not state a specific reason for the delay. Ghaith Al Ghaith apologized to passengers…
Indian carrier Kingfisher will launch two new Dubai routes to Mumbai and Delhi by the end of the year. Company chiefs said the new services are part of an expansion plan that will add six new destinations to the winter schedule, which starts at the end of October. Subject to civil aviation ministry approval, Kingfisher will begin service on the following routes: Delhi-(Bangkok), Delhi-London (Heathrow),…
Indian carrier Kingfisher will launch two new Dubai routes to Mumbai and Delhi by the end of the year. Company chiefs said the new services are part of an expansion plan that will add six new destinations to the winter schedule, which starts at the end of October. Subject to civil aviation ministry approval, Kingfisher will begin service on the following routes: Delhi-(Bangkok), Delhi-London (Heathrow),…
Hong Kong lawmakers voted to spend HK3.63 billion (Dh1.72bn) to expand the Disneyland theme park. Attendance has not met targets, and a rival theme park is planned for Shanghai, so the government is looking for ways to increase the number of visitors over the long term. Walt Disney will invest HK$3.5bn to help finance construction costs and will also convert its outstanding loan to the park of HK$2.76bn into…
Authorities at the King Abdulaziz International Airport have launched a survey to measure traveler satisfaction with services. The survey comes following renovations to the airport’s northern and southern terminals. Public and private school students have been employed and trained to carry out the survey. Results will be used to further develop airport services in a future project. The survey includes…
King Abdullah will open the newly expanded Prince Abdul Mohsen bin Abdul Airport in the industrial city of Yanbu during his tour of Madinah province. King Abdul begins his tour on Sunday and will launch various industrial, developmental and human welfare projects. The tour will last several days. A statement said “The King’s visit is aimed at closely monitoring the conditions of citizens in the province as…
Emirates Airlines is going the extra mile to help small and medium sized business cope with the economic difficulties faced by the business around the world. The Dubai based carriers is offering 5,000 bonus miles for each newly activated account – a program ideally suited for SME’s. The loyalty programme is being offered to celebrate the successful first year of Business Rewards. The online rewards scheme…
TRI Hospitality Consulting research shows that the number of hotel project cancellations or delays has substantially slowed over the past few months. During the second quarter of 2009 only 2 per cent of confirmed planned hotel projects have been postponed or cancelled compared to 28 per cent between the third quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009. Over the last six months only 10 per cent of confirmed…
The Union Railway Company was established by the federal government yesterday. The state news agency reported the President of the UAE, Shiekh Khalifa bin Zayed, established the new railway company to develop a passenger and freight system in the seven emirates. The Union Railway Company has a capitalization of Dh1 billion (US 272m) and will oversee the planned national railway system. The railway will run on…
