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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UAE’s national carrier, Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways was voted Airline of the Year at the 2008 Aviation Business Awards at the Le Royal Meridian Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, November 22. The Aviation Business award, which was hosted by Aviation Business magazine, was attended by more than 250 of the region's aviation professionals. James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways said: "This year has been an exceptionally…
Shrugging off the global financial crisis, Dubai overnight toasted a new luxury hotel with a 20 million dollar bash attended by film stars and sporting greats and marked by a spectacular fireworks display. More than 2,000 world celebrities were invited to the event, which began Thursday night and continued late into Friday. Among those who showed up for the party of the decade were Hollywood stars Robert de…
A new benchmark for residential excellence will be established by the new Al Habtoor Island Resort and Spa, which is set for completion by 2011 - situated in the most desirable location on the Crescent of The Palm Jumeirah (secured by The Al Habtoor Group when The Palm was no more than an ambitious vision), the project is set to become one of our planet’s most exclusive addresses. “Destined to be the jewel in…
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc has revealed plans to launch three properties in Saudi Arabia - Four Points by Sheraton Dhahran, Four Points by Sheraton Mall of Arabia (Jeddah) and Aloft Riyadh. Four Points by Sheraton Dhahran, has 236 rooms and suites in different categories ranging from Deluxe Rooms to Executive Suites. It will also offer a fitness center, swimming pool, two restaurants, a lobby…
With an average rate of $290 per night, Dubai hotels ranked highest globally in terms of average room rate for August, according to a report by STR Global, the agency monitoring hotel performance trends worldwide. Dubai was followed by Paris at $280 and New York at $261. Dubai hotels achieved 81.6% occupancy levels in August, the report added. This was a particularly welcome revelation, given the current bleak…
Business at Atlantis, the $1.5 billion (Dh5.5 billion) hotel on the Palm Jumeirah is slow, with low occupancy levels and room rates slashed dramatically. Despite the grand opening of the resort on Thursday night, which saw stars and celebrities descend on the Palm, business is not so impressive. The average room rate on November 17 was Dh849 ($231), Tuesday was Dh380 ($104), an incredible Dh161 ($44) on Wednesday…
Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has announced an ambitious plan for the promotion of medical tourism in Abu Dhabi. "We have just finished the second phase of the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre, which measures 30-50,000 square metres and can receive up to 50 exhibitions annually and the number is multiplying," he said at a press conference. Shaikh Tahnoun added…
Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, told a Dubai based newspaper that, taking advantage of the ongoing financial crisis, the company is looking at expanding its presence in the hospitality sector around the globe, with a focus on emerging markets. Bin Sulayem was speaking on the sidelines of the relaunch function of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort - the latest high-profile investment of…
Situated 2.5 km from Falaj al Qabail, The Crowne Plaza Sohar’s imposing façade overlooks the Sohar-Buraimi highway. The hotel, which is scheduled to open its doors to guests by the end of this year, is nearing completion. The hotel premises have been connected with supplies of potable water, electricity, gas and telecommunication. The air-conditioning is also in place, while finishing touches are being given to…
Al Jaber Aviation's new aviation division, Al Jaber Aviation (AJA), has placed a new order for two Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs) and has also made known a previously undisclosed order for two A318 Elites, adding to a previous deal for two A318 Elites. The order makes AJA the largest single customer for the Airbus ACJ family in the Middle East, bringing the total orders up to six aircraft. Al Jaber Group…
November 17th will see three foreign companies signing contracts for commercial management of the international airports in Saudi Arabia at Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Civil Aviation, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Civil Aviation Authority, will be present at the signing of the contracts. The contracts for…
The Tourism Ministry and Global Distribution System of Lobanon, on Tuesday, November 18, launched a new online trade and directory services portal, Bab-ilu, and announced plans to introduce an online virtual tourism and trade centre. A statement issues by the ministry said "The centre will help promote various Lebanese cities, villages, and communities within the country and abroad promoting Lebanon to millions…
Lufthansa Technik said on November 17 that it has signed a five-year contract with Saudi Arabia-based National Air Services (NAS), for Total Component Support of 40 of its aircraft. Sulaiman Al Hamdan, Chief Executive of the NAS Group said, "Through this strategic agreement, Lufthansa Technik will provide its technical and strategic support to NAS' fleet operations by providing an open access to Lufthansa…
As a replacement for its narrow-body service, inaugurated in 2007, UK-based airline bmi has confirmed plans to introduce daily Airbus 330 wide-bodied flights from Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan to London Heathrow Airport, effective early spring 2009. In a press statement, Nigel Turner, chief executive officer of bmi said: "Amman has gotten off to an excellent start and is performing well ahead of…
Dubai based premium private jet operator, Elite Jets, signed an agreement with Dubai World Central (DWC) Aviation City to build a brand-new base for its executive jet operations. Signed on the sidelines of the ongoing Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) Conference and Exhibition, the agreement proposes allocation of two plots of land, with a total area of 167,000 square feet at the Aviation City, to Elite…
Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, has said that Abu Dhabi will have 14,000 new hotel rooms within three years, bringing the total number of hotel rooms to 26,000 by 2012. "So far, there is no a noticeable effect by the international crisis on the rates of hotel occupancy in Abu Dhabi. The impact of the international financial crisis on the tourism sector, in case…
From December 12, Swiss diplomatic missions in the UAE will implement the Schengen visa system for visitors to their country. The Schengen scheme, which covers most of Europe, eliminates border controls between participating states. A visitor with the visa can enter any of the participating countries without having to obtain a separate visa for each country. "Our country is surrounded by states that are…
Holiday Inn Express Jumeirah has officially opened its doors to guests. The hotel is an InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) property, in collaboration with Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding Company. With its opening, the hotel becomes the third Express property to open in Dubai and the second to open under the brand's new name following last year's announcement of the worldwide relaunch of the Holiday Inn…
Six Senses has opened a brand new resort at the Zhighi coastal village in the Governorate of Musandam in Oman. The village is located 500 kilometres north-west of Muscat. The resort, built at a cost of $83m, is comprised of 82 villas of different sizes and an anchorage that will serve both guests and fishermen at the village. The resort has been built in traditional Omani architectural style replete with palm…
Raffles Dubai has won two awards at The Hotelier Middle East Awards. Raffles Dubai's Chef de Cuisine, French native Cedric Darthial, was named 'Best Chef' of the year, while South African Nicholas Murcott, the hotel's sommelier, was awarded 'Best Sommelier' of the year Source: www.ameinfo.com
Kuwait based budget carrier Jazeera Airways said on November 17 that it has signed a deal worth $70 million (Dh256.9m) with European banks DVB and Natixis Transport Finance to fund the purchase of two Airbus A320 planes that have been recently delivered to the airline. The airline currently operates a fleet of eight Airbus A320s from its hubs in Kuwait and Dubai to destinations across the Middle East, Europe,…
From January 2, British Airways will add a 4th service that will operate five days a week on its Dubai-London Heathrow route. The five additional weekly services will increase the airline's flights between the emirate and Britain's principal airport to 26 per week. The flights will fly to British Airways' Terminal 5 home at London Heathrow. Source: www.ameinfo.com
Dubai Airports has officially launched the all new premier VIP terminal and executive travel facility at Dubai International- the Executive Flights Centre (EFC). The announcement was made by the CEO of Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths at a Press conference held on the sidelines of the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA 2008) on Sunday. EFC terminal has its own dedicated immigration and customs sections — it is…
Aldar Properties yesterday said on November 12 that the company has signed an exclusive agreement with The Ritz-Carlton Hotels Company to develop a number of luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi, that will be managed by The Ritz-Carlton. The contract signed was for the Ritz Carlton Reserve hotel on Aldar's Nareel Island development, which is currently under construction. Paul Bell, Managing Director of Aldar Hotels and…
