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, December 15, 2013: British Airways is introducing more choice and benefits for customers as it extends the number of routes operated by its new aircraft and increases frequencies for summer 2014 (from March 30). British Airways now has three A380s and four 787s. Thanks to the arrival of the new aircraft into the fleet, the airline is able to confirm that the A380 will next begin services to Washington…
Cathay Pacific announced earlier will move its freighter operations from Dubai International to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central from February 2014 Dubai is Cathay Pacific’s transit hub for its European destinations including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Paris and Milan. The airline currently operates seven weekly freighter services and 14 weekly passenger services in Dubai.…
Etihad Airways will launch direct flights to Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, in 2014, the United Arab Emirates’ national airline’s fifth destination in the United States. The addition of the new ultra-long haul three flights a week service, which will start on December 3, 2014, follows Etihad Airways’ pledge to continue to expand its US flight network to cater for growing demand from business and leisure…
Facebook has recently released the top 25 locations that were most checked-in on Facebook this year. What is worth noting is that out of these 25 locations, four of them are Disneyland theme parks around the world. Namely, in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, and California. Other spots that made it to this list were also predictable, popular tourist attractions. However, another interesting observatn…
British chef Heston Blumenthal’s London restaurant Dinner has snagged the top spot in a list of the 101 Best Restaurants in Europe, a ranking dominated by French and British eateries. Compiled by popular food blog The Daily Meal, the list is an interesting departure from one of the best known restaurant rankings, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants: the dining destination ranked the best on the planet in that…
Tuesday morning, Lonely Planet released the top 10 U.S. travel destinations for 2014, and Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan’s Gold Coast took the top spot. Michigan’s second largest city boasts a string of distinctions, editors say, chief among them a badge of honor for beer lovers: Grand Rapids was named the best beer city in the US for the last two years by the Beer Examiner, with more than 25 craft…
Next summer, astronauts aboard the International Space Station will tuck into meals like lobster and celeriac puree, duck confit with capers and chocolate cake prepared by French chef Alain Ducasse. Instead of freeze-dried soups, vegetables and meats, space travelers will fete special occasions such as team changeovers and space walks with a fine dining meal developed by the French chef tita. The…
Cruises may have become more affordable over the past few decades with the arrival of low-end offers, known for their kitschy shows and all-you-can-eat buffets. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, certain cruise lines focus on ever more exceptional and extravagant ships for the most demanding vacationers. Below is our selection of luxurious cruise ships offering a level of comfort and service worthy of…
Every year since 2003, the UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism have honored tourism initiatives that contribute to advance tourism through knowledge and innovation, in line with the principles of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The following is the list of finalists, in alphabetical order, of the 2013 UNWTO Ulysses Awards for…
Dubai, UAE; December 11, 2013: Emaar Properties PJSC, the global developer of iconic projects, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai World Central (DWC), the world’s first purpose-built aerotropolis, to develop an integrated urban centre and golf destination in a prime location at Dubai World Central, the home to Expo 2020 and the Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA). The MoU was signed by His…
The Salina Turda Salt Mines of Romania have been converted into a museum that showcases its history. Visitors use a trio of elevators to reach a cavernous space filled with carnival-like contraptions that are glowing with LED lights. The elevators also lead to three exhibition chambers showcasing artifacts that include mining equipment. Those less interested in mining can take a boat tour on the…
A curtain of thick fog across the south-east of England has forced a number of flight cancellations at airports across the region. Airports affected include London Heathrow Airport and London City Airport. A total of 40 flights had been cancelled by 09:00 at Heathrow, with officials urging passengers to check with their airlines. At London City Airport, 20 departing flights were cancelled while…
Although Canberra is Australia’s capital city, many people living outside of Australia know very little about it—some have not even heard of it. After a long time of being outshined by Sydney and Melbourne, the city of Canberra decided to do a rebranding campaign that aims to change its dull image. Australian agency Coordinate designed a new logo for the city, comprising of its name in the…
Abu Dhabi is moving closer to having a permanent cruise terminal at Mina Zayed, delegates at the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum heard today. Welcoming delegates to the Forum, which runs at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel until Wednesday 11th December, His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, said a decision on the concept design is expected next year.…
Etihad Airways has commenced major expansion of its Indian operations following the approval of an historic 24 per cent investment in Jet Airways. Central to the Etihad Airways plan is the use of Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, as a global hub connecting international passengers and freight with flights to and from India. Pending the opening of a new facility, United States-bound…
Canada's WestJet has given back to their customers this festive season. In this feat, it looks like the team has managed to enlist the help of “Santa”, asking their passengers what they want for Christmas. Although it looks like a typical festive activity to do, these passengers were pleasantly surprised as the airline really fulfilled their customers’ Christmas wishes. Watch the video to see…
Hyatt Hotels is making its first foray into this segment of the travel market with the launch of two distinct all-inclusive resort brands: Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara. The first will offer family-friendly vacation experiences, while the latter will target travelers without children looking for rest and relaxation. Hyatt has already launched the first hotels representing the new brands: the Hyatt Ziva…
The Sydney Opera House has come up with a novel new way to raise funds and boost the building’s profile by selling “virtual” ownership of the tiles on its tallest sail. On Monday, 125,000 of the tiles went on sale, with Hollywood star Hugh Jackman among the first to put his money behind the initiative which hopes to raise Aus$15 million (US$13.7 million). Under the scheme, people can buy a tile online…
Visitors to Paris over the holidays are being offered a special shopping passport that can be used at more than 270 stores across the French retail mecca for a 10 percent discount. The Paris City Passport Shopping is being offered to visitors who’ve already spent €80 worth of tourist goods. The card is valid for three days in December. Participating retailers include Adidas, handbag shop La Bagagerie and…
Sharjah-UAE: December 9, 2013 - During an extraordinary ceremony held on Sunday at Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah launched its logo as the Islamic Culture Capital of the Arab Region 2014 (SICC 2014) in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Sharjah Capital of Islamic Culture 2014 Celebrations, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah…
Gulf Air, Bahrain's national carrier, became the first full-service carrier to land at the new Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC), which will eventually be the world’s largest airport once fully operational. Flight GF578 took off from Bahrain International Airport at 0930 yesterday, landing at Al Maktoum International Airport at 1145, carrying Gulf Air delegations and members of…
British Airways has created an interactive “choose your own adventure” video campaign that offers European holiday ideas based on the user’s travel preferences. Launched last week, “Yourope” is an innovative digital series that allows viewers to choose which side of their destination they want to see. Here’s how it works: The video starts by taking the viewer through an unmarked airport to a British…
Ryanair has launched allocated seating on all Ryanair flights from February 1st 2014, with booking now available. The move, which follows a similar decision from low-cost rival easyJet, allows Ryanair customers to choose their preferred seats in advance. Customers can now select their preferred allocated seat either during the booking process or when checking-in online with three seat options…
Dubai is set to take centre stage later this month as it seeks to break the world record for the most spectacular fireworks display ever seen on New Year’s Eve. Hosted by Atlantis, The Palm, the event will welcome internationally acclaimed pyrotechnic firms to the emirate for a spectacular show. The hotel guarantees guests “an unforgettable night”, with Atlantis, The Palm, hosting a royal gala dinner…
