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.
Read full storyShowing 4,969–4,992 of 5,397
Airlines have been restructuring their assets because of decreased traffic and high cost of operations, caused by the impact of the global financial crisis and turbulent fuel costs. Managing Director of British Airlines bmi, Peter Spencer, said some legacy airlines have resorted to using smaller aircraft, carrying fewer passengers, and using some part of their fleet for charter services. Spencer said legacy…
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has signed an air services memorandum of understanding (MoU) and Republic. The MoU was signed so the two counties can discuss and set up operations on the Abu Dhabi-Korea route. The MoU entitles both parties to operate as many as four weekly flights on the Abu Dhabi-Korea route with immediate effect. There is no restriction on the type of aircraft so any…
Emirates Airlines is forging ahead with increased Middle East services with its introduction of 12 new weekly flights to key travel hubs in the region. This brings to 197 the airlines total number of weekly fights throughout the region. From 1 July, Emirates will fly weekly to 12 new destinations in five key Middle Eastern cities: Kuwait, Amman, Damascus, Sanaa, and Doha. The new flight services will operate…
The world’s busiest airport for international passengers announced an impressive 6.5% growth in passenger traffic in April. Dubai International Airport (DIA) registered 3,271435 passengers in April 2009 compared to 3,073479 for the same month last year. Airport Council International figures show that in March DIA that among the top ten airports they were the only airport to register positive growth in the…
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) organized a meeting to review the promotional campaigns for this summer. Senior representatives of hotels, hotel apartments, and tourism companies were in attendance. During the meeting, DTCM Executive Director, Media Relations, reviewed initiatives designed to increase hotel occupancies and bring more visitors during the summer months and the holy…
Government owned budget carrier flydubai will begin services to Damascus and Alexandria on 8 June, and 9 June respectively. The new flight services increases the total number of flydubai destinations to 4. Also, inaugural flights to Amman and Beirut begin from 1 June, just in time for the summer holiday season. The government established flydubai one year ago and is starting its operations with a fleet of…
Etihad Airways launched its first flight to Astana, Kazakhstan on Thursday from Abu Dhabi. Flight EY294 departed at 10:05 am and landed at 4:35 pm on the same day at Astana airport. The Kazakhstan flights will operate weekly on an Airbus A319 aircraft. Atana is Etihad Airway’s second destination in Kazakhstan. In December 2008, flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan were launched. Almaty is the biggest city in…
Airlines in the Middle East flying to the United States can be fined from Wednesday for not complying with accessibility rules set by authorities for those with special needs. The fines can be as high as $27,000 (Dh101,000) per violation. The law requiring compliance with new accessibly rules was passed in May 2008 and gave airlines one year to comply. The Dubai Airport management company is working with…
Kuwait carrier Jazeera Airlines has stopped several direct flights out of Dubai because of restrictive regulatory conditions. Jazeera has stopped flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Sana’a and Selah non-stop from Dubai. Passengers flying to these locations from the UAE must fly out of Kuwait instead. Flight services to Kochi and Karhtoum will also stop from 1 June. Jazeera Airways Chief Executive explained that Kochi…
Jet Airways introduces its new no frills economy service, Jet Airways Konnect, which begins on 8 May 2009 for select India routes. The new service focuses on that portion of the market which wants an economically priced, low fare product. Jet Airways Konnect will complement Jet Airways full service product. The same Jet Airways ground and flight staff will deliver service but passengers must buy their meals…
Leading Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines begins flights from Bangalore to Dubai beginning 25 June 2009. The airline had planned to start the new service in March but delayed the launch because of the global economic slowdown. Kingfisher’s area manager for UAE, Qatar, and Oman said conditions have improved now and it is a good time to connect Dubai and the UAE for the coming travel season. Vinay Nambiar said…
Almulla Hospitality has completed an agreement to open its first property in the holy city of Makkah. UAE based Ulmalla Hospitality is a new Sharia-compliant hotel operator. The new five star hotel will have 875 rooms and is scheduled to open in 2012. The company sees several new business opportunities although the economic slowdown has stalled investment in the regions hotel sector. Chairman Abdulla…
Nigeria, Cambodia, and Romania were among the countries displaying their stand at the Arabian Travel Market for the first time this year. With the weaker economy slowing tourism demand there is more interest in the Middle East because it is one of the travel industry’s few bright spots. Romanian mineral water spas, ancient Cambodian ruins, and Nigerian warthogs were some of the least familiar attractions…
India encouraged efforts towards responsible tourism while focusing on the luxury leisure traveler at this year’s Arabian Travel Market 2009. A top official with India’s’ Ministry of Tourism said they don’t want to see global warming hurt the tourism industry and so their “concern about responsible tourism is quite high” Last year there was a difference of opinion among private players regarding how private…
The Jumeirah Group will operate the Jumeirah Al Ain Hotel in Abu Dhabi, which is Al Fanida Investments newest luxury hotel in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Top executives on Saturday concluded a management agreement between the two companies. Executive chairman of Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless, signed the agreement with Shaikh Hamad in Abu Dhabi at the Sheraton Khalidya Hotel. Construction started in 2008 and will be…
Sharjah based budget carrier Air Arabia net profits for the first quarter increased 32% to Dh 103 million. Lower fuel prices and passengers switching to lower cost air travel contributed to the increase. On Saturday the airline said the net profit growth figures exceed the growth in new revenue and passengers during the first quarter of 2009. Compared to the first quarter of last year, revenues increased 21%…
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Prime Minister for Tourism said with the 25 year battle against the Tamil Tigers ending, “there’s a lot of interest in the investment side”. Faizer Mustapha said there are early stage negotiations for hotel developments taking place. He said within six months he expects to finalize resort deals with Middle East investors, although he did not provide details. Mustapha talked about Sri…
Thousands of Egyptians cancelled plans to travel to Saudi Arabia for their small pilgrimage following an announcement by the Egyptian Minister of Health, who said he was considering a three week due to the H1/N1 swine flu outbreak. Vice President for the Chamber of Commerce Nasser Turki said bookings have fallen 60% for the Umrah to Makkah pilgrimage. The World Health Organization has warned there could be…
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffith said passenger growth may increase further in the second quarter of this year, compared to its 2.3% growth in the first quarter. Griffiths said early indications are that there may be even better growth in the second quarter, although he did not specify a figure. Griffiths spoke about the airport traffic at a press conference in Dubai to promote next week’s Airport show in…
Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) President said more flights are needed to Saudi resorts in order to promote tourism and give a boost to the local economy. Prince Sultan bin Salman has urged domestic airlines to increase the number of flights because there is a shortage, especially during the holidays. The Prince spoke about the domestic flight shortage during a meeting with the President…
Tourist Enterprise Company(TEC) Deputy Chairman outlined plans for a strategic expansion in Kuwait that will cost about KD 100 million. Khalid Al Gamin, addressed reporters at a press conference about the company’s expansion plans following the companies annual general assembly meeting at its headquarters in Shuwaikh last week. Mr. Gamin said despite the global economic crisis the company maintained its…
Dubailand and the world’s biggest global cruise line, Royal Caribbean, formed a strategic marketing partnership with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Monday. The partnership is expected to substantially boost the cruiseline industry and Dubai as a favored tourist destination. The two partners will engage in joint marketing and promotional activities in key global source markets in order to…
Marriot Global Sales announced that it achieved an impressive 20 per cent sales growth in the Middle East and Africa region despite the economic downturn, which has slowed many other sectors. The increase in sales is due to the astounding 42 percent surge in online bookings through the Marriot Global Reservations Center. The positive sales growth demonstrates the resilience of the hospitality sector and its…
The tourism board of India will showcase incredible India at the world’s largest travel exhibition, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2009, being held in Dubai this week. There will be 31 companies from the tourism and hospitality sector featured at ATM 2009. Regional Director for India Tourism, Manmohan Saldanhah said they see the economic recession as an opportunity because India’s location in the region makes…
