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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Germany’s Bavaria Airspace cluster signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) to create a world class aerospace center in Al Ain. Under the agreement, ADAC, Mubadala, and government agencies will invest as much as $1 billion over the next three to five years to build the aerospace center. ADAC board member Fahd Al Shamsi told a news conference that “Abu Dhabi is part of a region that is…
Doha based Qatar Airways finalized a contract at the Paris Airshow to purchase 24 Airbus aircraft for $1.9 billion as part of its business expansion strategy. Twenty A320’s and four A321 aircraft are included in the agreement. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in November 2009 and will be completed in 2012. Currently Qatar Airways operates four A320 family aircraft. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al…
Dubai Shopping Festival Office announced an expanded and improved Modhesh world thanks to the continued support of many of the biggest names in the private sector. Modhesh World occupies 37,000 square feet and is the largest indoor theme park in the Middle East. The bigger and better Modhesh World features education activities and exciting new rides sure to provide families and children a fun learning…
Leading luxury hotelier Rosewood Hotels and Resorts has appointed Peter Finamore as new Managing Director for Al Faisaliah Hotel and Hotel Al Khozoma in Riyadh. Mr. Finamore has been an important asset for many of the worlds leading hotels in the thirty years he has worked in the hospitality industry. Most recently he was the Executive Vice President of Operations for Echelon Resort in Las Vegas,…
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) last week held road shows in the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania in order to promote Dubai as a leading leisure and business destination. Arabian Connection Tourism, Arabian Destinations of the World, Alpha Tours, and Jebel Ali International Hotels and Royal Gulf Tourism participated in the road shows. Air Baltic representatives…
Etihad Airways will announce at the Paris Air show this week that they will place engine orders, including service, valued at $6.7 billion. Sources say the engines will be for 100 Airbus SAS and Boeing Co.aircraft. According to an invitation for the Paris Air Show, Etihad Chief Executive Officer James Hogan will hold two press conferences on 16 June in Le Bourget, the location of the Paris Air Show. The…
Discounts and special offers for airfare and hotel stays boosted air traffic at Dubai International Airport 7% last month. More than 3.21 million visitors passed through the worlds’ sixth busiest airport last month, compared to 3 million visitors for the same period last year. Dubai International Airport and its largest tenant, Emirates are using deep discounts to stimulate spending and bring more tourists in.…
Strata Manufacturing has been named the new company at Mubadalla Development’s new aerospace plant. Mubadalla Development is an investment arm of the government. The government hopes that the new aerospace cluster at Al Ain International Airport will draw international aerospace companies because of the lower cost of labor and cheaper energy costs. Strata Manufacturing will be the flagship company at the new…
Jet Airways introduced a new economy class service in order to compete with the growing number of budget carriers. India’s leading private commercial airline launched Jet Airways Konnect offering fares that are 20% lower than legacy carriers. Jet Airways General Manager for Dubai and Northern Emirates said Konnect will focus initially on the Indian sector in order to meet the needs of the fast growing low…
Lebanon’s low cost tourism infrastructure must be upgraded in order to increase its capacity to welcome middle class tourists. This observation comes as many tourists around the world plan budget holidays. Amir Girgisn, an economist with London based World Travel & Tourism Council said the focus on luxury tourism is shifting as tourists become more money conscious. Many in the industry argue the tourism…
The Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) will showcase its aviation assets at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget. Throughout the week they will hold talks, sign agreements, and make important announcements. Representatives from the world’s leading aviation and aerospace industry organizations will attend the air show, which takes place between 15 June and 21 June 2009. ADAC assets in Abu Dhabi include five…
The Night Zoo at the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) opened on Friday. Visitors can enjoy the cool summer evenings while taking part in many different activities such as viewing the traditional bird of prey show. There are many exciting activities for children. Animals have been acclimatized to so that they will be wide awake for the nocturnal shows. Lighting has been installed and tested and animal…
UAE Hotel's occupancy rates and revenue per available room (RevPar) dropped sharply during the first four months of the year due to the global economic slowdown and the slowing inflow of tourist and business people into the region. A Deloitte Tourism, Hospitality, and Tourism Middle East partner said the Middle East has been severely impacted by the “low levels of economic activity around the world.”…
President of Emirates Airlines Tim Clark is confident they will remain profitable through next March, even though last year its net profits plummeted 72%. During an interview on the sidelines of the two day International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference in Malaysia, Clark said “I like to think we will be in the black.” Clark said they have enough cash, have made profits for 24 consecutive years,…
A new report by business advisory firm Deloitte shows that Jeddah and Makkah are among the top hotel markets in the Middle East. Makkah hotels revenue per available rooms (RevPar) increased 32.7% in the first quarter of 2009 while Jeddah hotels RevPar was up 30.3% for the same period. This puts Jeddah and Makkah within the top three best-performing markets in the region. The business organization Elaf Group…
In-flight news magazine publishers are re-starting in-flight magazine titles aimed at the top-end business traveler. Next month Emirates Airlines will again publish its flagship title Open Skies following a reported 41.5% increase in in-flight magazine revenues for the 2008-2009 financial year. Emirates High Street and the children’s magazine account for much of the increase in revenues. Also, Emirates…
International taxes on aircraft emissions will come into effect soon and Gulf airlines are now partnering with academic institutions and industry in order to reduce their carbon footprint. Under the EU emissions trading scheme, all airlines will probably have to pay emissions tax for flights to Europe from 2012. Airlines are required to submit emission monitoring plans to EU authorities by September this…
Jumeirah, the luxury hotelier based in Dubai, expects to resume hiring by the end of the year following a recruitment freeze, in anticipation of new hotel openings in 2010. Jumeirah Executive Chairman Gerald Lawless said they are optimistic despite the global economic downturn and their visitors are the type of customers “who do not trade down.” Lawless said they aim to operate 30 hotels by 2013. Jumeirah…
Saudi travelers who sat near a passenger infected with swine flu tested negative for the H1N1 virus according to the director of preventative medicine at the Jeddah Health Directorate. Dr. Adel Turkestani said some passengers contacted the Ministry of Health after a public announcement. He said a list of passengers who travelled on the two flights was obtained and they were contacted and sampled were obtained…
The number of people from the Middle East visiting Thailand increased 9% despite three negative factors causing a decline since late 2008. The ongoing economic slowdown, political problems, and outbreak of H1N1 swine flu virus have caused arrivals to Thailand to slow since that time. Thailand’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications briefed the press about the trend in tourist arrivals at the five day…
The demand for one way tickets out of Dubai will not increase despite a big jump in schooling fees. General Manager of Alpha Travel and Tours said most people will choose to pay more for education rather than uproot and relocate their families. Fabian Fernandez acknowledged that fees have risen substantially but “I think we can live with that – there is no other choice.” He said some people don’t mind paying…
Sudanese carrier Sun Air will start flight service to Kuwait on 18 June 2009. The KUNA news agency reported the Khartoum to Kuwait route will be operated on a Boeing 737 and the flight will run three times per week to Kuwait International Airport. In addition to its domestic routes, Sun Air flies to Sharjah, Nyala, Port Sudan, Elgenana, El Fashir, and Juba. Sun Air began operations in June 2008 with three…
Airlines in North America and Asia complained at an international conference in Malaysia that they are losing market share to airlines in the Middle East. The industry is experiencing its worst recorded slowdown and there have been accusations of predatory pricing and capacity dumping. The regions carriers reject their competitor’s complaints and counter that by opening up untapped markets they are…
President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities met with the chairman of the City Center Development Company in Riyadh this week. Prince Sultan bin Salman met with Ghassan Al-Sulaiman to review plans to restore the historic center of Jeddah. The CDCC is responsible for the Jeddah Central Development Project and works closely with the Jeddah municipality. Restoration of historic buildings and…
