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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Accorhotels.com, the multi-brand reservation website for Accor Hotels, has continued its development and its adaptation towards high-growth markets. Now available in Arabic, the website offers a choice of 31 geo-localised versions and 16 languages. These include sites in English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, Brazilian-Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, Turkish, Indonesian,…
Saudi Airlines, the national carrier for Saudi Arabia, has announced a return to Manchester Airport with a direct route between Manchester and Jeddah starting in March 2014. Flights will commence three times a week from April 2014. Ken O’Toole, chief commercial officer, Manchester Airports Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Saudia Airlines back to Manchester Airport with their introduction of…
A Michelin-starred chef took to Twitter to complain about a crying baby in his restaurant over the weekend, sparking a larger debate about banning babies in fine dining establishments. The tweet that launched the online dialogue dubbed ‘Babygate’ by pundits came from Chicago chef Grant Achatz, when he wrote: “Tbl brings 8mo.Old. It cries. Diners mad. Tell ppl no kids? Subject diners 2crying? Ppl take…
In China, There Is A Street That Plagiarizes Logos From Famous Brands By Thia Shi Min, 13 Jan 2014 COMMENT SHARE Share on Facebook Twitter The Shimao Skyscraper building in China’s Jiangsu province sports plagiarized logos on the first floor of its exterior. Many of these fake logos take on the look of famous brands, but passers-by would realize that they are fake as they wander up…
The romance of Paris and the wilderness of the Arctic Circle might seem worlds away from one another, but they have been brought together thanks to a new suite at the Icehotel in Sweden. Created by French design duo Les Ateliers de Germaine, ‘Up There’ features the skyline of Montmartre carved into its icy walls. The suite features jagged rooftops and the basilica of the Sacré-Coeur, along with chimney pot…
Norway, Aruba and Orlando have emerged as some of the top 10 family destinations for 2014, according to a group of family vacation experts. Though the Christmas holidays may have just ended, parents of school-aged children know that spring break looms not far off. Here are a few suggestions from the editors of FamilyVacationCritic.com, whose list of best family-friendly destinations is topped by Aruba, also…
The New York hotel where Beyonce shot the video “Rocket” is set to profit from the exposure, after it helped play a role in an album that shattered records just a few days after its release. Beyonce’s eponymously-named fifth album sold one million copies just six days after being released without promotion, breaking iTunes records. In her black and white video “Rocket,” Queen Bey is captured…
Air New Zealand has been named the top airline of 2014 by a safety and ratings review website which heaped unrestrained praise on the carrier for its in-flight services and safety performance. The Kiwi carrier as an industry trendsetter, notably for programs like Skycouch which can transform three economy seats into a couch, ideal for couples or families with a young child. Their specially designed…
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has issued a statement on Saturday, January 18 2014, stating that Thailand is open for tourists. Despite the street protests taking place against the government, tourists have not been attacked and although tourists are advised to stay away from demonstration sites, the city is generally peaceful. A Press Release issued by the Ministry of Tourism states, "Although the…
Emirates Airlines is launching a daily non-stop service from Dubai to Taipei starting from February 10 2014. If you did not know why you should be going to the Taiwanese capital, maybe you will be tempted when you find out that Taipei is home to Foxconn - the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer - the company that makes iPhones, iPads, iPods, Blackberry phones, PlayStation 4, Wii and Kindles. If…
Yes, the legendary New York hotel is available for $15.75 per night - but there is a catch. If you spent your wedding night at the Waldorf Astoria and you are celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary (or more) and have the original receipt from your wedding night stay, then you can stay at the hotel for the same price you paid 50 years ago. The uber-luxurious hotel has a long-standing tradition of offering…
What better way to promote wildlife than in a zoo! The Kenya Tourism Board and Kenya Airways are organizing an event at the Al Ain Zoo in the UAE to to promote Kenya as an authentic wildlife safari destination and showcase the variety of cultures present in the diverse African nation. A two-day event will be held on January 10 and 11 2014 at the Al Ain Zoo to encourage increased tourism from the UAE to Kenya.…
Every city has its leading hotel and Karachi had the Sheraton for many years however, on January 1 2014 Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts took over management of the 407-room Sheraton Karachi. Rebranded the Mövenpick Hotel Karachi, it is the first property in Pakistan to be managed by the upscale international hospitality company of Swiss heritage. The hotel has a rich legacy of holding numerous international events…
Dubai Shopping Festival has usually been about shopping - and very little about culture and heritage. The tourists who visit the city admire the steel and glass edifices that represent all that is new about Dubai and go back awed and impressed by the progress made by the city. But there are a few who follow Shania Twain and say these buildings "don't impress me much" and go back with the vision of a cold,…
Dubai's much anticipated annual Dubai Shopping Festival has started and Dubai Mall is celebrating this season of indulgence by focusing on the sartorial aspects of shopping. A Virtual Closet has been set up at Dubai Mall where people can select clothes and accessories from a screen and see themselves posing in the selected attire. If you like what you see you can buy the selected garments. The Virtual Closet is…
More than 2,300 flights have been canceled due to severe snow storms in the north eastern United States. Flights to New York and Boston are the ones that are the worst affected. If you are planning to travel to the United States it is best to check with your airline before going to the airport. Central Park in New York has already received 6 inches of snow and many people are on an extended vacation due to…
From the Atlantis to Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa, Dubai is celebrating New Year 2014 in style. In fact in a style so unprecedented that the city expects to be listed in the Guiness Book of World Records for the largest, brightest and bestest New Year's fireworks ever. While the city cannot claim to be the first in the world to celebrate the new year - that title goes to New Zealand. The world's highest…
The Intercontinental Madrid is a 5 star property that offers everything you could possibly need from a hotel. Reviews say the place is perfect save for one thing: the noise. Late night music, drilling, traffic and more can be heard from both within the hotel and outside on the streets. Staff aren’t particularly helpful apparently, and will only offer sympathy but no results when you complain about anything.…
Filling out the insides of these booths with water, they converted these almost-obsolete facilities into delightful outdoor aquariums that add touches of whimsy to the streets.
French chef Alain Ducasse has created a 9-course menu to fete the 30th anniversary of his restaurant Le Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower, with each course paying homage to his restaurant’s namesake. On Thursday, January 30, Le Jules Verne will host an anniversary dinner that will take guests on a culinary journey through Vernes’ literary works. Dinner is a cool €550 a person. A starter of sea urchin,…
In yet another sign that Myanmar is generating major interest as a travel destination, a luxury all-suite ship is set to sail the mysterious waters of the once reclusive country next year. Custom-built by local Burmese craftsmen, guests of the Sanctuary Ananda will sail the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers with guided excursions into temples, pagodas, monasteries and ancient towns along the way. Ananda…
After 60 years of drawing an older, more established clientele, luxury hotel group Relais & Chateaux is hoping to attract brand loyalty among a younger, more dynamic demographic. It’s a marketing strategy that may prove challenging at a brand where the average age of the typical hotel guest has been 50. The group claims it’s making a few inroads, having dropped the average age of its clientele to 47 over…
The ancient Indian healing art of Ayurveda is one of the hottest wellness trends this year, and here are some of the most luxurious places in the world to sample the practice’s benefits. This gorgeous resort is located in the breaktaking Alleppy district of Kerala, perched near famed backwaters. In business for more than 70 years, the resort offers various Ayurvedic treatments, from rejuvenation massages to…
In another sign that interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a tourist destination is growing, Marriott International has announced plans to open its first hotel in the region by late 2014. The Residence Inn Sarajevo is located 20 min from the airport near the old city and feature 75 suites. When it enters the market next year, Marriott International will become the only internationally branded hotel in the…
