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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One World Observatory recently announced its official public opening date will be Friday, May 29, 2015. Positioned on top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere – on levels 100, 101, and 102 of the One World Trade Center building – One World Observatory will provide guests with unique, panoramic views of New York City, its most iconic sites, and surrounding waters from above 1,250 feet. A…
The bright blue sky at Padang Galak, Sanur Beach, on the wondrous island of Bali will be decorated with numerous colorful and distinct Balinese traditional kites when the 36th Annual Bali Kite Festival takes place from 18th to 20th July 2015. The festival will feature kites in huge sizes, usually up to 4 meters wide and 10 meters long. The kites will feature unique traditional shapes and design such as the…
Emirates Airline is adding capacity on its flights to the Lebanese capital Beirut by upgrading both of its aircrafts serving Beirut to an all Boeing 777 operation. The Airbus 330-200 currently active on one of Beirut’s two daily flights, EK 953/954, will be upgraded to a larger Boeing 777-200LR from June 1, giving a 12 per cent boost to seat capacity. The second daily flight, A330-200 supporting EK…
Azerbaijan, a country at a crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia welcomes the summer season with a bang! The capital city, Baku, enriched with history, culture, music and great food, is the perfect vacation spot this year. Famously known for its active spirit and sporting traditions, the European Games will be held in Baku from 12 to 28 June 2015, featuring over 6,000 athletes from 50 National…
Bonded by a tree rooted in culture and tradition, The Ritz-Carlton hotels of Washington, D.C. and throughout Japan have collaborated on an exclusive guide to celebrating Sakura, the iconic Cherry Blossom season. Here are their top three ways to celebrate the festival: 1. Viewing Locations: Discover thousands of blooming cherry trees by visiting the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. A multitude of parades,…
1) Maldives Endless white-sand beaches, excellent luxury resorts and action packed water sports makes this the best island destination anyone could imagine. The clear blue water is one of Maldives best attractions. Resorts range from budget friendly to over-the-top expensive. A major bonus Maldives has is that it is a Muslim country and we can eat freely! 2) Phuket, Thailand Breathtaking views and…
GCC residents and citizens are now eligible to obtain three-month multiple-entry visas into Bahrain, as part of their new visa policy. Recipients of this visa will only be able to stay for two weeks at a time, however. The decision was made ahead of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, taking place from April 17 to 19, with the aim to attract more tourists and investors to the country. Nationality,…
The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin knows how to impress its guests with personal service. Particularly for guests from the Middle East, the hotel at the heart of Berlin has expanded its offer and provides an Oriental ambience including Qur’an and prayer rug as well as special attention to the needs and wishes of guests travelling for medical reasons. In addition to the comforts of the hotel, which are tailored to the…
Following Etihad Airways’ 49 per cent stake in the company, Alitalia marked its first new route to the UAE on 29 March. The flight departed Venice Marco Polo Airport at 9:55pm and landed at Abu Dhabi International at 5:55am today. The return flight departed Abu Dhabi at 9:05am and arrived in Venice at 1:35pm. Venice is now connected to three points in the Gulf, joining flights from Doha on Qatar Airways and…
Starting today, 30 March 2015, Harrods will be extending its opening hours from Monday to Saturday, 10:00am to 9:00pm, allowing customers to indulge in an extra hour of some much-needed shopping in-store. Sunday trading hours will remain unchanged (11.30am – 6pm, browsing only between 11:30am and 12 noon). Shop at Harrods for their extensive range of luxury designer clothing, accessories, beauty products,…
Starting March 29 2015, Air France will offer up to 5 weekly flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Vancouver, the famous cosmopolitan coastal city of British Columbia, in Canada. From March 29 to May 3, 2015, flights will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. From May 4 to September 13, 2015, flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A stunning 381m tall structure in the Swiss Alps resort of Vals is slated for completion in 2019. It will eclipse the current tallest hotel in the world - the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai. The 7132 Tower - named after the resort's zip code - has been inspired by Dubai's architectural marvels. Remo Stoffel, the man behind the project, runs Dubai's largest facilities management company, Farnek, and has been…
If you are planning a trip to Santiago this summer you will be happy to know that from March 3 2015 all museums in Chile have abolished entrance fees. This means that you can visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Santiago and 25 other museums for free. The Department of Libraries, Archives and Museums or DIBAM, which runs 26 museums throughout Chile had earlier made all libraries free of cost to…
Starting 30 March 2015 Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier of Bangladesh, will be offering daily flights from Jeddah to Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet. The additional flights (BG 036) will be on Sundays and Mondays, which will complement Biman’s existing five weekly flights (B777-300ER) from Jeddah. Mr Mohammed M.S. Binmahfouz (Vice President Elaf Aviation), said, “We are proud to announce…
Plans have been unveiled by Russian Railways president Vladimir Yakunin for a new, albeit a tad ambitious, transport route from Europe, all through Russia to the U.S., with a high speed railway network to link Asia with Europe. For more of a visual of how long this route will be, picture a highway spanning half of the earth’s circumference. Yeah. Vladimir Fortov, the Head of the Russian Academy of Science,…
The Keukenhof Gardens is the world’s second largest flower garden, following Dubai Miracle Garden. On 20 March 2015 the Keukenhof opened its gates for the 66th time, with expectations of a total of 800,000 visitors from 100 different countries this year. Willem van Gogh, a relative of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh, officially opened the exhibition, in accordance to the Van Gogh theme showcasing this…
Hardcore Hello Kitty fans, you’re in for a treat. A recently opened tea house in Kyoto lets you order traditional Japanese cuisine Hello Kitty-style - complete with the 40-year-old Japanese pop icons face emblazoned on (and in) the cups and bowls. The Tea House Hello Kitty Saryo, a collaboration with parent company Sanrio, sells countless Kitty treats. From dim sum stamped with the Hello Kitty logo, to…
Airewards is Air Arabia’s new loyalty program, the first low-cost carrier rewards program in the MENA region. With Airewards members can earn points based on spend and not on the distance they fly. That is, members earn points on anything they pay for: the ticket fare, surcharges, baggage, seats, meals, insurance or airport services. Joining Airewards is free and open for everyone. Members can earn…
Located just 10 minutes away from the airport on the prestigious Mohammed VI Street, lies Ryad Mogador Menara and Spa, Marrakech’s five-star luxury hotel. For $192 a night, guests can enjoy the many hotel facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, the hamam and the massage center. They can also grab a bite at the in-house Moroccan restaurant, or relax in their spacious room that is fitted with a balcony…
From 15 April 2015, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will increase its flights between Abu Dhabi and Tehran, the capital of Iran, from three flights a week to a daily service. The Airbus A320 Tehran service, which started in December 2006, provides 136 seats each way in a two cabin configuration, with 16 business class seats and 120 economy class seats. The…
There’s no doubt about it, the airport authorities are definitely doing something right in Singapore. For the third year running, Singapore’s Changi Airport has been named the best airport in the world by airline customers around the world. "It is a great honour to be named World's Best Airport … for the third year running,” says Mr. Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group. “This recognition is…
Summer is approaching and airlines are launching their marketing campaigns to inspire travelers. Air France recently launched its "France is in the air" TV commercial which has been seen over 20 million times on YouTube in less than a week. Now it is the turn of Etihad. A TV commercial featuring Academy Award winning actress Nicole Kidman has just been released by Etihad Airways. Titled, "Flying Reimagined"…
Marriott will become the first global hotel company to offer Apple Pay to its guests. Starting this summer, Apple Pay will be rolling out to 11 Marriott hotels in popular locations within the U.S., all of which are listed below. Guests using Apple Pay at check-in will simply bring their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus or soon, Apple Watch, near the contactless reader at the front desk. When their device responds…
Starting 30 March, Etihad Airways will fly four times a week to Madrid, the capital city of Spain. Strategically located in the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula at an altitude of 646 m above sea level, Madrid is one of the most important historic centers of all the great European cities. Experience the vibrant city with intense culture and artistic heritage with Etihad’s great launch fares and…
