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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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…
The UAE based luxury airline for executives, Royal Jet, will participate in the 2009 Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai this week. They will be the only private aviation company at the exhibition. The airline is a long standing supporter of ATM and has participated every year since its inception six years ago. Royal Jet is supporting Abu Dhabi as a world class tourism destination at its corporate corner within…
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) will participate in the Arabian Travel Market for the 12th consecutive year. The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the regions premier travel and tourism event which takes place annually. This year the ATM takes place at the Dubai World Trade Center from 5 May through 8 May. SCTDA chairman Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, said there will be a…
Abu Dhabi And Dubai airports remained free of the swine flu virus through Sunday night. Passengers at these airports were screened by thermal cameras. Sharjah international airport is scheduled to install thermal imaging cameras within two days. The medical clinic at Abu Dhabi International Airport reported that of the thousands of passengers scanned buy thermal cameras, ten had high temperatures, but tested…
Industry experts addressing delegates at the Arabian Hotels Investment Conference 2009 said the hospitality sector has been deeply affected by the global financial crises. They said there are signs of improvement but it is far from over. Deutsche Bank CEO for the Middle East and North Africa, Dr. Henri Azzam said it “could be deeper and longer than many of us anticipated.” Deloitte’s Global Managing Partner for…
Emirates Airline officials said next year they will delay delivery of several Boeing 777 aircraft in order to protect its cash reserves during the downturn. Executive vice Chairman for Emirates Airline and Group, Maurice Flanagan said they are slightly rearranging deliveries next year, but did not provide details. This move follows the airlines previous measures to cope with the economic slowdown, including…
Dubai World is continuing its expansion in Africa by investing in Bubye Reserve Zimbabwe, a game park project. Last month Dubai World’s Nakheel Hotels opened its first resort in Capetown, South Africa. This latest investment follows Dubai World’s recent acquisition of major shares in three game reserves in South Africa. Dubai World Chairman Prince Sultan bin Sulayem said they are investing in game parks in…
The US Consul-General in Jeddah will host its second Saudi-US cultural festival in Taif beginning on Wednesday. The consulate issued a statement that the American Saudi-Arabian Culture and Commerce Festival aims to strengthen and develop cultural and commercial ties between the Kingdom and the U.S. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, Taif Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Taif governate have…
Pullman Hotels and Resorts has partnered with Accor Hospitality Middle East and Majid Al Futtaim Properties to launch its first hotel in Dubai. Pullman, the prestigious upscale hotel brand, recently signed an agreement with its partners to complete the hotel by the second half of 2010. It will have 481 rooms, including 94 suites. A second Pullman hotel, the Deira City Centre Hotel is scheduled to be announced…
Executive Director for Business Tourism at Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said Dubai has a challenging year ahead but is well placed for a quicker recovery than other destinations. Hammad bin Mejrin said “We strongly believe Dubai may emerge faster than other regions when the global economy improves.” Dubai has responded to the global economic slowdown with a multi-million dirham…
A new report by STR Global shows that revenue per available room (RevPar) for beach hotels in Dubai fell to about AED 500 in March. This decrease in RevPar exceeds any by other hotels in Dubai, and is about half the RevPar figure for the same month last year. STR Global compared rates at 22 properties in the Jumeirah Beach area with 82 others in Dubai. Global Chief Executive of a property consultancy, Jones…
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai hotel giant, said it is optimistic about a recovery in its home tourism market by the end of 2009, following a first quarter revenue drop of 20 per cent. Executive Chairman of the Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless, said their profits are down compared to last year and he described the coming months as challenging. He said their message to visitors is “yes you can now visit us, we have…
Air India Express increased their India operations with the launch of two new routes from Abu Dhabi. The low cost airline also increased its number of flights to Cochin from five to six nights per week. Air India Express is a subsidiary of Air India and operates from its base at Chochin International Airport. From 30 April, Air India Express will use a Boeing 737-800 with economy class configuration to fly…
Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the President and Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) said the national tourism plan has been updated and it will be announced next year. Last year the country received 47 million visitors and that number is expected to increase to 88 million by 2020. Under the tourism plan the kingdom’s current 30 airports, which are now…
Hotels in the Middle East continue to perform better than hotels in other parts of the world, although there is a fall in revenue per available room (RevPar) and occupancy rates. Among Arab cities, Abu Dhabi has the highest RevPar, occupancy and average room rates. Deloitte advisory firm reported that a nine percent decrease in occupancy levels caused RevPar in Middle East hotels to fall 12.9% to $142.…
A senior doctor and head of medical services at Sharjah International Airport said they will install thermal scanners on Monday to screen passengers for suspected casers of swine flu. Dr. Essam Salameh said the airline receives passengers from Athens, Greece, and transit passengers on flights from Europe and Turkey pass through the airport. Under Ministry of health procedures already in place if a pilot…
A forum exploring the special needs market begins in Dubai on 13 May 2009. The 5th annual Middle East Forum for Accessible Tourism (MEFAT-2009) will investigate the unexplored special needs tourism market. Chairman of Dubai Airports and President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum will inaugurate the forum, which is being held in Le Meridien Dubai. More than 500 decision…
EFG Hermes warned on Thursday that a swine flu pandemic would hit the UAE hard. Because tourism is a major contributor to GDP in the UAE and Oman, confirmation of the swine flu in the region would have a significant impact. This sector is already experiencing difficulties and oil prices will be affected as people reduce their travel. Analysts at EFG Hermes said in a note to investors that there are still no…
Human error is the cause of a close call for an Emirates Airline passenger jet landing at Melbourne Airport in March. The passenger jet, carrying 257 passengers and 18 crew came close to crashing because a flight crew member entered the wrong numbers into an aircraft computer. Director of Aviation Safety Investigation for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau explained the information fed into the airline…
Bahrain Air announced it is expanding in the sub-continent and is preparing to begin flight services to Mumbai, its third destination in the area. Bahrain Air is a private national carrier that operates in MENA countries and the Indian sub-continent. Director of Commercial Operations and Planning for Bahrain Air said they are excited about the new service. He said Mumbai is one of the biggest markets in the…
Dubai reaffirms its position as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations as the number of visitors to Dubai reached an all time high in 2008 of 6,996,449. Dubai tourism growth continues despite the economic slowdown, although at a somewhat slower pace. It is one of the few international destinations to have an increase in the number of visitors over last year. Dubai’s highly diversified premium…
King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has halted incoming flights from counties affected by swine flu. Director General of the airport, Khaled Al-Medhel, said the flights were stopped as a precautionary measure. This move comes as the World Health Organization raised the global flu alert to level 5, which is the second highest level indicating a pandemic is imminent. Flights to King Fahd…
