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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Dubai currently leads global hotel statistics with an average room rate of $283 in 2007, according to Gerald Lawless, executive chairman of Jumeirah Group . Meanwhile, other Gulf cities also topped the $200 mark. Lawless said that the room rates will not fall as more hotels open .However, the average rates now being enjoyed may level off . He believes that occupancy rates and levels can be maintained…
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), the hotel, tourism, transport and catering group, will work on an internal five-year development plan in tandem with the plans announced by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) to develop the sector, an official said. ADTA has recently announced that it plans to increase the number of tourists visiting Abu Dhabi to 2.7 million and double the number of hotel rooms…
Qatar Airways plans to operate scheduled flights to the southwest Indian coastal city of Kozhikode , the airline's third gateway in the state of Kerala , beginning June 15. Formerly known as Calicut, the city is Kerala's third largest with a population of almost 500,000. Its beautiful and calm beaches , historic sites , lush green scenery and renowned Ayurvedic health treatments make it a popular tourist…
The number of passengers traveling by nas air , Saudi Arabia's first budget airline has crossed the one million mark . Air officials of this service which was launched in February 2007 , marked the special occasion by offering the one millionth passenger , Yasser Mohammed Al Morshed , and his spouse one year free travel on all domestic and international routes . Morshed, a 29 year old engineer, booked and paid…
Emirates will have more than 450 aircraft in its fleet by 2020. Emirates aims to increase its fleet size from 115 to 200 by 2012 to support its widening route network and to increase frequencies. It is scheduled to take deliveries of 22 planes this year. ââ¬Å“Emirates has been doubling its size every 3 to 4 years since it started .I think we will continue that kind of growth , ââ¬Å“ said Shaikh Ahmad…
Ras Al Khaimah: RAK Airways, the fourth national airline of UAE, yesterday announced its first destination in India with daily non-stop flights to Kozhikode , Kerala, starting from Wednesday onwards. Shaikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Civil Aviation and Deputy Chairman of RAK Airways, said that the launch marked a significant milestone for RAK Airways as well as Ras Al Khaimah, which…
Etihad Airways is increasing its number of weekly flights to a number of key destinations within the GCC, Middle East, Europe and India from this summer. Flights to Cairo will increase to 12 times a week. Etihad will operate a total of 728 weekly flights out of Abu Dhabi this summer, 47% higher than last year. URL : www.ameinfo.com
Saudi Arabia's first low-cost carrier, nasair arrived in Abu Dhabi on its inaugural flight to the emirate from Riyadh. nasair also flew its inaugural Abu Dhabi-Jeddah route on Sunday. The airline is flying four times a week between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. Welcoming nasair's Managing Director of Scheduled Airlines Husain Nalkhanday, who was on board the inaugural flight from Riyadh, Mohammed Al Bulooki,…
While US airlines have shunned the use of cell phones in flight , mainly because their passengers are not too keen to let go off one last phone-free sanctuary - some European and Middle East carriers are preparing to offer the service as early as this summer . Regulators in Brussels have given the green light to the airlines , setting up a commom licensing arrangement . Air France hopes to be among…
The Metropolitan Hotel Dubai on Shaikh Zayed Road is launching a new chill-out lounge ââ¬â€  I2. The lounge will offer guests champagnes, wines and cocktails together with an assortment of light lounge fare. There will also be daily performances by a DJ who will spin a mix of 70ââ¬â„¢s, 80ââ¬â„¢s and modern day lounge music. The Metropolitan Hotel Dubai is part of Habtoor Hotels ââ¬â€  a…
The Thai New Year, known as Songkran, was celebrated for the third year in a row , by the Thailand ââ¬â€œbased hotel group Dusit Thani ,at its Dubai property last week. Guests were invited to watch one of Thailand's most cherished traditions, the Water Ceremony, along with other captivating dance performances. Songkran, one of the most important of all the Thai holidays, marks the beginning of a…
Bahrain Airââ¬â„¢s inaugural flight to India will be to Kochi in Kerala . The first flight will take off at 10:40 am on Monday, 26th May and land at Cochin International Airport at 5:30 pm local time on the same day .The other two flights will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays departing Bahrain at 7 pm and arriving Kochi on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 02:30 am . This thrice a week service will continue…
From 2009, passengers will be able to use their equipment to send and receive text messages, emails including attachments, and to make and receive phone calls during flights. In addition, they will be able to use their laptops and the in-flight entertainment screen to access the internet, e-mail and instant messaging.
After nearly two decades in the making, Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport has finally been completed. It was in 1989 that Richard Rogers Partnership won the competition to design Terminal 5 at London Heathrow . Much has happened in the last 19 years. Firstly, Terminal 5 is now a Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners project, reflecting the changes that have happened to the practice. Meanwhile, the terminal…
Doha based Qatar airways has successfully launched its Guangzhou operations, the fourth in China and 82nd worldwide. The airline now operates 20 scheduled flights a week to China: Beijing-four flights, Shanghai-five flights, Hong Kong-daily and Guangzhou-four flights. Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 62 Airbus and Boeing aircrafts to 82 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa,…
Royal Jordanian gets an addition to its fleet after receiving a new Airbus A321. Another aircraft is expected on May 20. The 168 seat planes will operate on short and medium haul routes in Europe, the Arab Gulf and the Indian Subcontinent.The new twin-engine planes will provide 148 seats in economy and 20 seats for Crown Class passengers. More efficient, comfortable travel is expected on the A321 s.…
Delta Airlines Inc will buy Northwest Airlines Corp for more than $3 billion under a proposal unveiled Monday to create the worldââ¬â„¢s biggest airline as carriers seek to counter skyrocketing fuel prices and a weak economy. It is feared that mergers will lead to higher fares as combined carriers reduce flights and use their increased market power to raise prices. If approved, the new carrier would…
Indian carrier Jet Airways is scheduled to launch two direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and Delhi on April 23. The daily services will cater to both tourism and commercial travelers. Jet Airways currently serves 42 domestic and 16 international destinations. The low-cost affiliate Jet Light is also targeting the MENA region and will launch routes to the GCC within four to five months says V M Kumar,…
With more than 800 exhibitors from 46 countries,nine halls and 17,000 sq metres of exhibition space at Dubai International Exhibition Centre,the Hotel Show is once more round the corner. The Middle Eastââ¬â„¢s leading supplies exhibition to the regionââ¬â„¢s ever expanding hospitality and leisure sectors will open on June 8 and run till June 10. This Hotel Show and its associated Seven…
Ethiopian , the national airline for Ethiopia , is to commence bi ââ¬â€œweekly flights from Addis Ababa,the capital ,to Kuwait and the Saudi capital Riyadh from June 2. This will provide convenient access to travel connections for African passengers especially those in the Middle East. Ethiopian currently operates 35 flights weekly to six Middle East destinations including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain,Beirut…
Dubai International Airport's envious position as the region's best connection stands unrefuted as the passenger throughput crossed the nine-million mark in the first quarter this year registering a remarkable increase of 15.11 percent over the corresponding period in 2007. The airport handled a total of 9,341,270 passengers from January to March this year, as compared to 8,114,762 in the first quarter of…
