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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Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines, and Etihad Airways all won awards at the Skytrax World Airline Awards last week in Hamburg. Qatar won the award for best Airline in the Middle East and best economy class. Emirates won the award for best in-flight entertainment. Etihad, for the first time, won the award for best business class. Skytrax is a UK based consultancy and based its results on an eight month survey of…
Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal chaired a meeting of the Taif Tourism Development Council on Saturday and reviewed various proposals aimed at making Taif one of the Kingdom’s leading tourism destinations. Prince Khaled said Taif is the number one tourist destination in the Kingdom, the Kingdom will do its best to meet Taif tourism requirements, and he urged the Taif Chamber of Commerce and Industry to use…
Royal Jordanian (RJ) resumed flight services to the Belgium capital of Brussels on Tuesday. It has been six years since services have operated between the two countries. Services were suspended for commercial reasons, and RJ CEO says they are now resuming again for commercial reasons. Mr. Samer Majali said the flights are resuming following the signing of the open skies policy by the two counties last July. This…
Air Arabia plans to invest $50 million in its second hub to be set up in Casablanca, Morocco. The airline’s chief executive told reporters the hub in will have 20 to 25 aircraft and will fly to at least 60 airports within a five hour radius. Adel Ali said they have aircraft in Morocco now and they are ready to operate. He expects Air Arabia to fly to Italy, France, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and North…
The beach near Dubai Offshore Sailing Club reopened after tests showed there is no contamination in the water. This beach has been in the news for months, beginning in December when the Dubai Municipality was forced to close it, and the sailing club, after tankers dumped sewage. The beach was initially reopened but then closed again after beachgoers last month reported black water and toxic sludge. However, a…
Prince Sultan bin Salman said Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry will not impose a security or social burden. Prince Sultan was speaking at a board of directors meeting of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) on Monday. He said the main goal of the SCTA is to develop tourism in order to benefit citizens and their families, who represent the Kingdom’s biggest tourism market. Prince Sultan…
Qatar Airways is ordering new airplanes in June and plans to add an average of seven routes a year for the next five years despite the slowdown in the global market. Qatar also plans to double its current coverage of US cities from three to six, and begin its first South American destination next year. Qatar is the second largest Arab nation carrier. The airline’s chief executive said the current economic…
Air Arabia negotiated an earlier deliver date for its order of A320 aircraft from Airbus. Sharjah based Air Arabia is the regions low-cost carrier and currently operates a fleet of 17 aircraft, all of them Airbus. By November of 2007 they had ordered an additional 44 A320’s from Airbus. The orders were originally scheduled to be delivered starting in 2012, but now the first A320 will be delivered from mid…
Goldman Sachs resumed covering Emmar Properties, Union Properties, and Abu Dhabi National Hotels, giving them a neutral rating. Goldman Sachs said the weak economic activity, slow economic growth, and tight liquidity will cause the current softness in the UAE Real Estate sector to continue. Goldman also gave a ‘neutral’ rating to Sorough Real Estate while Arabtec Holding and Abu Dhabi based Aldar properties…
Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is heavily promoting business travel at the Gulf Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM 2009). The GIBTM exhibition opened yesterday in Abu Dhabi. Director General of SCTDA said the GIBTM conference is an important one in the region because it attracts event planners, conference and exhibition organizers, and incentive buyers from…
Dubai’s Skal International Tourism organization met Monday night and re-elected Mr. Amit Aora President. Mr. Aora is Corporate Director for Sales and Marketing for Emar Hospitality Group. Skal also elected other members for offices including Mr. Chris Anns Vice President & International Councilor, and Mr. Peter van Driessel Vice President – Events. Skal International is a professional tourism body composed of…
India’s leading airline, Jet Airways, announced on Monday it is launching a new direct, daily flight service from Mumbai to Kuwait. Jet Airways will operate the new service aboard a state of the art Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This is the airlines second India to Kuwait flight. The existing service is from Kochi to Kuwait. Jet Airways also has services from India to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Muscat and Bahrain.
Bahrain Air started nine new weekly flights to Abu Dhabi International Airport. Later the service will increase to twice daily. The new flights will operate using A319s and A320s in two class configurations. Including the new services to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain now flies to 16 destinations in North Africa, the Middle East and Indian sub continent. Bahrain Air Chairman said the addition of the Abu Dhabi services is…
Sabre Traveller Networks, Middle East has launched Traveller Security and Data Suite. The new program provides traveler security services, real time information about travel patterns, and reports for air, car, and travel bookings. Sabre CEO Daniel Naoumovitch explained the software suite provides secure access to data, complete travel information and reservation information, and detailed reports for all air,…
The global economic downturn is impacting the sale of luxury and leisure boats in the Middle East. Marine Consultant Mike Derret said boat sales in the Middle East will decrease by about half in the next one to two years. Last year 1,200 boats were sold and in 2007 1,500 were sold. Mr. Derret predicts the effect of the credit crunch will not be as severe as in the United States or Europe where sales are…
Both Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines have added new regional flights to meet increasing demand. International Air Traffic Association released new statistics showing demand for services in the Middle East increased 3.1 per cent in January 2009 even as the global economic downturn continues. Emirates Airlines added three weekly flights to Beirut and two weekly flights to Damman, and Tehran. Etihad…
Senior Executives say Middle Eastern travel management companies are searching for ways to survive the economic crisis as all travel segments slow and yields decrease. Under consideration are streamlining processes, new revenue streams, and resource management. Executives say three challenges presented by the economic crisis are collection and credit terms yield drops, and resource management. General Manager…
Peter Larson has been appointed Director of Flight Operations for Silver Air, the airline that specializes in charter aircraft. The airline also made other appointments including Tim Lee as Commercial Director, Paulo Rodriquez as Director of Ground Operations, and Lars Sondergaard as Director for Training and Standards. Chief Executive Steffen Harpoth said the diverse background and experience of the new…
Sri Lanka has received numerous enquiries from Saudi Arabian and other Middle Eastern investors interested in developing the countries hospitality and tourism sector. Faizer Mustapha, Deputy Minister for Tourism, talked about the new interest at a road-show organized by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. Sri Lanka hopes to make their island state a ‘full-fledged” value for money destination sooner than…
Syria’s Minister of Tourism, Dr. Saadalla Agha al-Qalla, emphasized the importance of tourist relations with Spain during a meeting with a Spanish media delegation on Saturday. He said it is important to improve tourist relations and reviewed tourism and its role in the national economy. Mr. Agha al-Qalla highlighted Ministry of Tourism achievements in recent years and said Syria is an appropriate place for…
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) says the new navigational system being implemented by the Abu Dhabi International Airport will boost airspace efficiency and decrease congested skies. Abu Dhabi International Airport is the first airport in the Middle East to use the new system, and airports in Dubai and elsewhere will follow. The new navigational system, called RNAV 1, decreases airspace corridors…
The Dubai City Center project in Las Vegas is still on track for now because MGM Mirage made a $200 million funding payment on Friday. The $8.7 billion City Center project is being developed jointly by the hotel and casino operator MGM Mirage and Infinity World, a unit of Dubai World. The $200 million funding payment means construction can continue for another month on the 67 acre site between the Bellagio and…
Prime Minister of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Al Maktoum, is visiting Moscow in order to increase interest and business activity of Russian traveler in UAE. The high profile visit is expected to increase areas of engagement between Russia and the UAE. Prominent citizens say that the UAE is already a popular tourist destination for Russians. The executive director of Imex Real Estate Company, Artur…
Abu Dhabi based carrier Etihad Airways on Sunday launched an expanded summer season programme. The summer flying program is 20 per cent larger with new destinations, new aircraft, and better flight connections. 900 flights will operate weekly compared to 750 flights last year and five new international services are being added including Melbourne this week. The five new international services will increase…
