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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Jazeera Airways announced yesterday it will launch four new flight services from Kuwait and Bahrain from 1 June 2009 and Dubai flights will be increased to six. Jazeera Airways CEO Andrew Cohen said they will operate direct flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Sanaa, and Salah. They will also begin their first direct flights from Bahrain to the Yemeni capital. Jazeera Airways began operations in October 2005 and…
Etihad Airways defended their new 48 hour special offers available on their website, following complaints by customers that the promotional prices were misleading and inaccurate. Dozens of customers have complained about large discrepancies between the actual price after extra charges compared to the promotional price. For example, a return flight to Heathrow Airport on May 4-5 and May 18 could be purchased…
The number of UK visitors to Dubai fell 9% in the first quarter of the year. Figures from the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) show the number of visitors from the UK and Ireland in the first months of the year fell to 195,000 from 210,000 for the same period last year. The market in the UK and Ireland increased to 13% to 900,000 in last year. The director of the DTCM office in the…
Vice executive chairman for Rotana Hotels in Dubai said their profits, occupancy, and rates fell 25% last year. Imad Elias said hotel prices became too high as a result of hoteliers arrogance, and they should now come down to a more competitive level. Rotana Hotels has 16 hotels in Dubai. Hotels.com Hotel Price Index shows in the fourth quarter of last years Dubai hotel prices were the second most expensive…
Emirates Airlines chief said they have increased the free baggage allowance up to 30% from 4 May 2009. Emirates divisional vice president for Revenue Optimisation said they made the change to demonstrate their commitment to putting the passenger first. The new allowance rules are being implemented throughout the airline’s global network of more than 100 destinations. Economy class passengers may check in…
Jumeirah Group employees saved the company close to $2.7 million by taking voluntary unpaid leave during the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The company’s HR director Mathew Mee said “It’s amazing the take-up when you go to colleagues and ask them ‘are you interested in taking time off to help the company” He said many have done just that and they will be coming back to the business. Mee added he…
Emmar Properties chief executive said on Wednesday they will open two new hotels in Dubai, add 1,000 new employees to their staff, and have also agreed to manage their first European property. Marc Dardenne said “We will add 1,000 associates to our family.” The new hotels will open in Dubai in August and September. He said they signed their first management agreement to operate a hotel in the South of France
An official with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) said the number of visitors from developed markets has declined but they will meet their longer target of 2.7 million visitors by 2012. Dayne Lin Kok Chun, the products development division director for ADTA said “Abu Dhabi has had cutbacks from Europe and developed markets, but its’ not something that would cause major alarm bells to cause us to review…
Afghanistan took a step towards reviving its tourism industry with the opening of its first national park, Band-e-Amir in Bamyam province last week. The park was opened with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which spent about $1 million (Dh 3.67 million) to develop it. Band-e-Amir consists of six deep blue lakes and a beautiful landscape dotted with snow…
CEO of Dubai International Airports (DIA), Paul Griffiths, said passenger arrival growth is “still in positive growth territory” while passenger movement at some of the world’s top ten airports fell up to 15%. Last year passenger arrivals at DIA increased 9% to 37.4 million. For the first quarter of 2009, passenger arrivals increased 2% to 9.5 million compared to the same period last year. Griffiths said…
The Mediterranean State of Malta is opening a representative office in Dubai. The move represents a shift in focus from Europe as a source market for tourists, to the Dubai region and the Middle East. Malta’s tourism industry has matured and the county offers many features lacking in Europe including Mediterranean climate, sun, sand, and water sports. Malta Tourism Authority chief executive Josef Formosa…
Emirates Airlines chairman and chief executive said they will not postpone scheduled delivery of new planes through 2011 despite the global downturn in air travel. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum spoke about the carriers operations at the start of the four day Arabian Travel Market which opened in Dubai yesterday. He said Emirates expects to take delivery of 17 new planes for the fiscal year beginning last…
Kingdom Hotels and Investments (KHI) sold its 39.3% stake in the Four Seasons Resort at Sharm El-Shaikh in Egypt for $70 million. KHI is chaired by Prince Alwaweed bin Talal. Implications of the agreement are that KHI will realize $178 million from the enterprise value of the resort and ancillary real estate. Four Seasons continues to manage the Four Seasons Resort at Sharm El-Shaikh. Kingdom Holdings and…
Etihad Airways announced its new first class cabin at the Arabian Travel Market 2009 in Dubai today. Etihad spent Dh 257 million upgrading the cabins, which have 12 individual suites providing passengers more privacy, comfort, and increased storage. A highlight of the new cabins is an extra large seat which extends fully to a flatbed 80.5 inches long. The seat has a built in massager, head rest, lumbar…
A senior executive with Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) said 40% of their 37 planned new hotels will be delayed. IHG Vice President for Development in Middle East and Africa, Kirk Kinsell said some owners and developers are retendering their projects due to land issues and this is causing delays. He said many projects are not delayed, including the one on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and they are confident many…
Airlines continue to offer discounts even as summer season approaches, demonstrating the affects of the global downturn on the tourism industry. Etihad Airways is offering dual income couples with no children special last minute fare deals to destinations in the Middle East, India, and UK. This latest offer by Etihad is part of a special weekly online deal offered on Mondays and Tuesdays for travel within the…
CEO for luxury hotel Ritz Carlton, Simon Cooper, said on Monday they will likely delay the opening of their new hotel in Abu Dhabi by one year. Simon said the new hotel is relatively on schedule and will probably open in 2012. He said their second hotel in Dubai at Dubai International Financial Center will open by the end of the year. Tourism in Dubai accounts for nearly 20% of GDP and has been under more…
A record number of nominations have been received for this years World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony, which takes place in Dubai on Tuesday, alongside the Arabian Travel Market 2009. Organizers attribute the increase to the economic downturn as well as the higher profile of the event. WTA recognizes best performers in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Abu Dhabi based companies has the highest…
Judges in Bahrain are scheduled to announce their decision regarding a possible delay on the government’s ban of alcohol and entertainment in one and two star hotels. Regent Palace investor filed a case in the Civil Administration court seeking a one year grace period before the ban is implemented. He appeared in court yesterday and his lawyer asked the Judges to suspend the ban because of massive losses…
Abu Dhabi Airports Company announced the first passenger flight from Kabar, Afghanistan on Safa Airways will arrive on Thursday, 14 May. They made the announcement at the Arabian Travel Market, which began today in Dubai. Safa Airways began operations in the last half of 2006. Fare for the new route to Abu Dhabi start from $99 for a one way ticket. The new route will give Abu Dhabi a direct link with the…
Online Hotel agency Hotels.com is ready to launch its first Arab language web site in order to increase business in the Middle East. The new site will bring their number of foreign language sites to 37. Hotels.com is one of Europe’s leading online hotel agencies and registers about 60 million hits on its network of websites. They take a cut on every transaction booked using their website. Managing…
Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) announced it will open a new hotel in Makkah showing again the resilience of the booming hospitality sector in the region. They will partner with Saudi construction giant Bin Laden group to open the Raffles Makkah Palace Hotel in Makkah. The hotel operator currently employs more than 35,000 people and owns 92 hotels globally. The new Raffles Makkah Palace Hotel…
President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed satisfaction with Etihad Airway’s rapid and sustained growth. The President said UAE’s national carrier’s progress in the few years since its launch is an effective contribution to growth and the boom in UAE in general. He said their contribution will boost the tourism sector in the country. Shaikh Khalifa viewed the designs and plans of Etihad Airway’s…
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…
