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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If you wanted to visit Africa and admire its charm but did not want to step into the "dark continent" now you can experience the lively culture, art and vibrancy of Africa in Dubai. This year's annual Global Village in Dubai features an Africa Pavilion which will make you want to visit Africa. Complete with colorful paintings, delicately carved wooden statues and hand dyed fabric along with masks, drums and…
The latest social media craze has arrived at W Doha. The luxury resort has just launched its Snapchat account and wants guests to communicate with it on this new medium which has so far been the domain of the under 25 generation. In fact, over 71% of Snapchat users are under 25 years old and most are under 18. How many of them are likely to be W Doha guests? How many will want to follow W Doha on Snapchat is…
This summer Qatar Airways will be adding yet another city - Amsterdam - to their network. Starting on June 16 2015, Qatar Airways will be launching their service to Amsterdam which is famous for its canals, windmills and tulips. The Doha – Amsterdam route will operate with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the latest next-generation aircraft in the airline’s fleet, offering 254 seats configured in two classes,…
Mexico City is generally not considered to be a place where you can easily find Halal restaurants but the Al Hassan Cafe is different. It serves a wide range of food and drinks put together by following recipes compiled from Morocco, Tunisia, Syria and Turkey. Their Turkish Taco is made from finely spiced ground beef, rolled into a thin flour tortilla and sealed with olive oil. Al Hassan Cafe Parque Manuel…
If you were thinking of a surprise vacation in early January, the surprise is on you. Most airlines in the region are fully booked. For popular destinations like Dubai-New York and Jeddah-Dubai, Economy seats are priced sky high or are not available at all. So, if you were planning a surprise vacation - put it on hold, or go on a long drive. Until mid-January there is a seasonal rush of airline passenger…
Thor Heyerdahl is the most famous Norwegian that ever lived. And if you do not know who he is, it is time to find out. On April 28 1947 Thor Heyerdahl set off from Peru with five other men to cross the Pacific Ocean in a primitive raft made of balsa logs and reed to demonstrate that the Pacific Islands of Polynesia may have been populated by settlers from South America. The National Geographic Society thought…
With over 1,700 rooms, the new 5-star Anjum Hotel in Makkah welcomed 50,000 Hajj pilgrims in 2014 (1435 Hajj season) and is now looking forward to the 2015 Umrah and Hajj season. Ahmad Sabry, General Manager of Anjum Hotel, said: “Anjum Hotel enjoys a prime location within the complex of the Holy Mosque. Our hotel offers a large parking space and can easily accommodate almost 40 buses at the same time.” With…
If you are looking for authentic Italian cuisine in Dubai, you should go to PAX Ristorante and Lounge at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai. PAX has just received a certificate of authenticity based on the Ospitalità Italiana standards. Now you can experience authentic Italian food without having to travel to Italy. Dusit Thani Dubai’s Italian Chef Carmelo Rosselli and Executive Chef Antonello Manca are happy that…
While Sydney's Harbour Bridge and its iconic Opera House feature in all television reports of the arrival of the new year, the first place on earth which welcomes the new year is actually Kritimati in the Republic of Kribati. Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is not an easily accessible destination for tourists. Kritimati is the local word for "Christmas" as "ti" is pronounced as "s." So…
It is not every day that you can see Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Cassilas and Isco in Dubai. But if you are lucky you can catch them and other members of the Real Madrid team at The Beach near The Walk in JBR, Dubai, when they come to officially launch the Real Madrid Cafe - the first and only restaurant in the world named after and in collaboration with the popular football club. After its soft launch earlier…
Have you been to Abu Dhabi lately? Did you tweet about your visit? Abu Dhabi Tourism now wants you to tweet your experience using the #inAbuDhabi hashtag. A new 20 metre long and 2.6m high illuminated billboard near Abu Dhabi International airport is aimed at reminding both residents and tourists about the new hashtag. Abu Dhabi with its Formula 1 and Ferrari race tracks, its child friendly Yas Marina, its…
Qatar Airways became the first airline in the world to receive the new Airbus A350 XWB when the aircraft touched down in Doha from France. The world’s first Airbus A350 XWB (Xtra Wide Body) and Qatar Airways’ fourth A380 arrived in Doha simultaneously. The A350 aircraft, for which Qatar Airways is the global launch customer and has ordered 80 of them, is set to commence service on the Doha–Frankfurt route…
It is not every day that you can buy an airline seat and take it home. But Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) is doing just that. They decommissioned their Boeing 747 aircraft in March 2014 and are now selling seven sets of their premium seats. Asking price - 647,000 Yen ($5,387) for a single seat and 747,000 Yen ($6,220) for a double seat. All electronics have been removed from the seat and the seats do not…
British Airways is getting ready for its biggest Christmas day operations. The airline is expected to have 267 flights on December 25 2014 with 817 pilots and 3,500 cabin crew taking to the skies. The airline will be serving 37,000 dinners on that day. The top British Airways destinations for the holiday period are Dubai, Barbados, New York and Barcelona. Between December 12 to January 5 the airline expects to…
If you are in a hurry to get to the ski slopes in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, Lufthansa has just the right solution for you. Fly to Munich on board Lufthansa and get whisked away to the ski slope of your choice on a helicopter. In Munich, Lufthansa customers will be collected directly from their aircraft and looked after by Munich Airport’s VIP service. The company HTM Helicopter Travel Munich GmbH will…
If you have kids then the Dubai Marina Mall is the place to go. For kids wanting to enjoy the festive season, the Dubai Marina Mall has put together a unique and interactive Festive Play Doh Activity Zone. Children will be provided with a tub of doh and expert Play Doh facilitators will help them make festive items. The facilitators will have special tools and moulds to help the children create their perfect…
Etihad Airways is introducing new Italian designed uniforms and new aircraft livery from December 27 2014. The change also coincides with the introduction of two new aircraft the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with new aircraft livery inspired by traditional Emirati design patterns. The new A380 features The Residence by Etihad™ which comes with a living room, a separate ensuite shower room, and…
Since 1998 Sharjah has been holding an annual Islamic Arts Festival at the Sharjah Art Museum. The 2014-2015 festival was inaugurated on December 17 2014. Sharjah was declared the Islamic Culture Capital for the Arabian region for 2014 in view of the state's rich cultural heritage. Holding an Islamic Art Festival is part of an established tradition in Sharjah which has always maintained and preserved its rich…
If you are planning to travel out from Dubai airport between Thursday, December 18 and Monday December 22, 2014, you should prepare for long lines and possible delays. December 19 2014 is expected to be the busiest day for travel at Dubai Airport. The Dubai Airport authorities are advising passengers to leave home at least three hours before the departure of the flight. Try to reach the airport early and say…
Since the last three years the United States has gone on the offensive in its efforts to attract tourists. In 2013 the marketing efforts of BrandUSA attracted additional 1.1 million tourists who spent upwards of US$3.4 billion creating 53,000 new jobs in the US. The US Congress just passed a spending bill that renews Brand USA, America's public-private travel promotion partnership. The US Travel Association…
The greenest city in the region is the second largest city of Oman - Salalah. And now Qatar Airways is making it easier to get to. The current 3 flights a week is being increased to daily flights from today and beginning in Februarym there will be 8 flights a week to this popular tourist destination. Salalah is a great place for a weekend getaway or a longer holiday with the family. Rain and forests and…
Inspired by the geographic coordinates of the city (21.5433°N, 39.1728°E), and held under the patronage of HRH Princess Jawaher bint Majed Al-Saud, Chairwoman of the Saudi Art Council, ‘21,39’ Jeddah Arts will showcase art which depicts the history of Saudi Arabia’s modern and contemporary movements. Launched in February 2014, the second edition will begin with a week of cultural activities from January 22-25,…
Wouldn't you be surprised if you saw a complimentary water bottle in your hotel room with your name and picture printed on it? Personalization to an extreme degree? Or perhaps a little eerie? “Discovering this little novelty in the room upon arrival makes them smile enjoying the welcoming environment,” according to Mr. Sam Ioannidis General Manager of Four Seasons Baku, Azerbaijan, who implemented this…
Ground transportation is an essential part of every traveler's itnerary. On Irhal we have been listing trains, metros, buses, taxis and car rentals. It is now time to change. The biggest disruption to ground transportation has been caused by a technology upstart that has taken the world by storm. Uber. Valued at over $40 billion, this 5-years old company is now worth more than double the value of Hertz and…
