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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Hotel operators say the number of budget hotels in Abu Dhabi is increasing as the market reaches maturity. Director of Development for the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) Rani Gharbie said the hotel market in Abu Dhabi consisted of about 2/3rds luxury and one third budget accommodations. In developed markets the ratio is the opposite. Mr. Gharbie said projections of development plans show the market…
Accor said on Sunday it plans to increase the number of hotels in the Middle East from 19 at present to 24 in 2011, then 65 by 2013. The French hospitality group said it will focus on the budget and middle income sector. Business conditions have worsened, dampening demand for its top end and mid range hotels and Accor’s first quarter sales dropped 9.6 per cent. Accor’s Director for the Middle East…
Visitors to Petra fell 30% in the first three months of 2009 compared to the same period last year according to official figures. Between January and March 2009 about 140,000 tourists visited Petra compared to 200,000 visitors for the same period last year. Petra reserve figures show entry fees generated JD2.7 million during this period. A Petra Hotels representative, Hussein Hilalat, attributed the…
Bahrain authorities target sleaze in a shutdown of bars, discos and two star hotels. The clampdown comes shortly following a report on askmen.com that a survey ranked Manama as the eighth sin capital of the world and said that Bahrain is a Middle Eastern party oasis. Lawmakers were reportedly furious. The new rules also come at the end of a drive last year by Tourism Affairs to clean up the hotel and restaurant…
The Tourism and Development Investment Company (TDIC) of Abu Dhabi presented a detailed update of 12 key projects. The projects include City Center, island retreats, luxury waterfront resorts, and downtown business tourist centers. The project update comes shortly after TDIC received a AA rating form Standard & Poors, Moody’s and Fitch rating, and demonstrates their commitment to keeping their announced…
Sudanese operated Sun Air began flight operations between Abu Dhabi and Khartoum on Saturday. This is the 43rd airline to operate from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Abu Dhabi is the second UAE destination for Sun Air. Sun Air will operate the flight on a Boeing 737 with capacity for 168 economy class passengers from terminal 2 in the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Sun Air is full service…
Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport reached 9.5 million during the first quarter of 2009. This is a 2% increase compared to the same period last year and makes it one of the ten busiest airports in the world in terms of its growth during this period. CEO of Dubai Airports said given the global economic situation and the double digit drop in passenger traffic these results are very positive. He…
Middle East Business Aviation Authority (MEBAA) is negotiating an insurance plan for its members that may reduce costs up to 20%. Dubai based MEBAA is also considering pooling fuel purchases. President and Chief Executive of MEBAA explained one of their objectives is to reduce costs for members. Abu Dhabi companies are also working together to share costs. Royal Jet, the charter jet operator in Abu Dhabi…
Lebanese Ministry of Tourism released statistics on Sunday showing Saudi Arabian visitors in Lebanon account for 20% of all tourist spending, more than any other nationality. Emiratis followed with 13% of total spending, Kuwaitis account for 12%, Egyptians 8%, and Jordanians 6%. Arab visitors comprise 41.3% of the total number of visitors to Lebanon. During the first three months of 2009 Lebanon received…
A survey of more than 92,000 room bookings in 30 US and international destinations by US travel management company Ovation Travel group showed Abu Dhabi bucking the global downturn in the tourism industry. Year on year average room rates in Abu Dhabi increased more than 33% while room rates in Dubai decreased 25%. The survey revealed three, four, and five star hotels across the globe reduced their rates by…
Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s government investment arm, signed a hotel management contract with Dallas based Rosewood Hotels and Resorts. The contract is for a new business hotel, the Rosewood Abu Dhabi Hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2012. The hotel is set in Sowwah, the core of Abu Dhabi’s new business district. News agency WAM said the Rosewood Abu Dhabi Hotel will be developed by Mubadala Real Estate and…
Company chiefs for Dubai based Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) said they are sticking with their plans to develop 100 hotels by 2012 despite the global economic slowdown. HMH has expansion plans in the Middle East and beyond, but their main focus is UAE, Bahrain and Qatar. HMH CEO Michel Noblet said they are committed to developing 100 hotels by 2012, that it will be challenging but it is achievable. He…
UAE travelers to Thailand are safe and not stranded according to Karn Chiranond, Thai ambassador to the UAE. Chiranond said the airport is functioning normally and there are no disruptions in flight. He said several Emirates visit Thailand annually for tourism or medical tourism, all are safe, and those that are travelling outside the country are safely accompanied to the airport. An Etihad Airways…
A burial ground containing dozens of brightly painted mummies was uncovered by archeologists near the llahun pyramid in Fayoum oasis south of Cairo, Egypt. The countries antiquities chief said the mummies date as far back as 4,000 years. Zahi Hawass said a mission found the mummies in 53 rock hewn tombs dating back to the Middle Kingdom between 2061 and 1786 BC. The mummies were wrapped in linen and painted in…
Saudi investors are now implementing several multi-billion riyad tourism projects as they view the tourism sector as one of the few bright spots during the global economic slowdown. Projects include the resorts in the Red Sea coast in the western region, the coast of the Arabian Gulf, southern Aseer region, and the tourist destination of Taif. A report by the Tourism Information Research Centre shows…
Sharjah based airline Air Arabia won the 2009 World Airline Award for “Best Low Cost Airline in the Middle East”. The award is based on passenger surveys conducted by Skytrax Research. Air Arabia is the first and biggest low cost carrier in the Middle East and has served more than 10 million passengers since it was launched in October 2003. This is the third consecutive year the carrier has won the award for…
Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) reported that the number of visitors to heritage sites in Dubai increased 16% in 2008. The number of people visiting heritage sites operated by DTCM increased from 873,831 in 2007 to 1,009,848 in 2008. DTCM director of Heritage attributed the increase in visitors to aggressive promotion and marketing by their department. DTCM supervises the heritage…
Etihad Airways announced on Monday it has partnered with alternative energy initiative Masdar in order to reduce its global footprint. Etihad Airways said it will reduce emissions and use more environmentally friendly fuels. The aviation industry must comply with new European Union Emission Trading Scheme rules by 2012. Masdar will provide support for Etihad’s carbon management programs including its…
GCC investors are showing an increasing interest in European hotels in major cities like Paris and London. Capital France Hotel acquired four-star hotel Radisson Paris Boulogne Hotel from Compagnie La Lucette. This is the first Parisian transaction this year. It shows confidence in the European markets and indicates there are good opportunities in the hotel market. Capital France Hotel is a hospitality fund…
The Jordanian charter flight operator Arab Wings announced yesterday they will launch a sister company, Gulf Wings, in Sharjah. Arab Wings general manager, Ahmad Abu Ghazaleh, said they have recently received an Air Operators certificate to form Gulf Wings which will be an executive flights business also providing aircraft management for luxury jet owners. Mr. Ghazaleh said the company’s expansion reflects…
Planet Group was awarded the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Uzbekistan Airways, the Uzbekistan national carrier for the UAE. Planet Group is a conglomeration of 11 companies including a well established chain of companies in the UAE. Ibrahim Naikhande, the GSA for Uzbekistan tourism in the UAE said during the Arabian Travel Market 2009 they plan to launch a standalone brochure on Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan…
Prince Sataam pledged support for the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia after formally inaugurating the Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market (STTIM) 2009 event yesterday. The Prince said the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia will recover despite the global economic slowdown. He promised to support the local tourism initiatives of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. SCTA President Prince…
Nakheel Hotels announced it opened the 137 room One&Only Cape Town hotel on the world famous harbor the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. Kerzner International are owners and operators of the One&Only and Atlantis brands. Nakheel’s opening of One&Only Cape Town further strengthens their relationship with Kerzner and expands its brand of luxury hotels in Africa. Dubai World is Nakheel…
Emirates Airlines said they have not yet made a final decision regarding repair of the damaged A340-500 aircraft which made an emergency landing after striking its tail on the runway in Melbourne last month. According to the Australian Transport Safety Board damage is substantial. When asked if the plane would be written off an Emirates spokesman said they are still considering repair options. The…
