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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Remember when we told you about the Giant Rubber Duck floating around in Hong Kong? Well it's swam all the way to the Middle East now. A grand inauguration is underway to mark thearrival in Dubai of the giant floating Duck sculpture which has in the past toured Amsterdam, Lommel, Osaka, Sydney Harbour, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong and most recently, Pittsburgh, USA where over 1,000,000 people are reported to have visited…
MOSCOW, Russia – Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar celebrated 10 years of service to Moscow with a press conference and gala dinner. Qatar Airways is currently operating 12 weekly flights to Russia’s Domodedovo Airport. The Moscow – Doha route is operated with an Airbus 321 aircraft offering 12 seats in Business Class and up to 170 in Economy. Due to popular demand, Qatar…
DIFC, Dubai, UAE: 28 November 2013 – BICE Mare, the multi award-winning Italian Seafood inspired concept located in Souk Al Bahar, is celebrating its achievement at the What’s On Awards last night, having being named ‘Best Seafood Restaurant’. Hosted by What’s On magazine, and founded in 2001, this annual awards event is commonly regarded as the most respected celebration of the hospitality industry in the…
Whether it’s a lazy beach holiday you’re after, a family getaway that will keep everyone happy, or an anticipatory, post-holiday detox vacation from the 8 lbs of turkey and fixings you plan to ingest, here’s a selection of sun-soaked travel ideas that can help you escape the cold clutches of winter. The most romantic place Island seclusion. That’s what you’re looking for. You want to head to a…
Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg on Tuesday opened a museum to display his glittering collection of Faberge eggs, once owned by the tsars, in the former imperial capital of Saint Petersburg. Vekselberg bought the collection of eggs from the estate of the late Malcolm Forbes, the US publisher of Forbes magazine in 2004, vowing to bring them back to Russia. The jewelled eggs with enamel and painted…
The team behind McCain Foods has come up with a potato-scented taxi, taking passers-by around for five minutes while an oven-baked potato is cooked. After the ride, these commuters were given the McCain Ready Baked Jackets potato. This taxi made its way through London, Manchester, York, Bristol, Leeds and Birmingham, giving people a pleasant surprise everywhere.
Dubai, November 2013 - Visitors to Thailand over the upcoming year-end holiday season are set to enjoy a truly spectacular atmosphere and some of the best shopping and dining in Asia, thanks to a unique public-private sector cooperative campaign being launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). To run all the way from 15 November, 2013, to 31 January, 2014, the “Thailand Spectacular Year End"…
The world’s longest nonstop commercial flight ended without fanfare Monday after Singapore Airlines (SIA) flew its last nearly 19-hour service from New York. Flight SQ 21 landed early Monday in Changi Airport, bringing an end to a nine-year run. A direct service to Los Angeles has also been cancelled as part of a fleet renewal. Analysts said the rise in fuel prices since 2004, when the…
Le Sommelier Bar & Bistro at Copenhagen Airport in Denmark has beat star-powered, Michelin-ranked chefs like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay to be named the world’s best airport restaurant. Le Sommelier is described as the big brother and airport outpost of the city’s downtown location, which serves classic French dishes like Mallard duck and black currant sauce, bouillabaisse, moules marinières and…
Although technology cannot (as yet) eradicate crippling food poisoning or comically awkward cultural exchanges, there's little doubt that travel gets easier with the advent of every new app. Smartphones make it simpler to find obscure backstreet restaurants or order cabs in Ulaanbaatar. Nevertheless, the relentless march of progress hasn't been without a few regrettable victims. Several much loved travel…
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has teamed up once again with the Monyati Initiative, an Abu Dhabi based non-profit social development organisation, to empower underprivileged women in Kashmir, Pakistan. Etihad Airways and Monyati donated sewing machines and sewing packages to the KDRC Vocational Sewing Centre for women. Set up in 2009 with support from Monyati, the…
A giant Louis Vuitton trunk has been assembled in Moscow’s Red Square ahead of the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the famous fashion brand. The “Red Square trunk” is a gigantic replica of monogrammed luggage owned by Russian Prince Vladimir Orlov, who was part of the Imperial Family. From December 2, 2013 to January 19, 2014, a special Louis Vuitton exhibition will be held in Moscow dedicated…
The inaugural Foodex Saudi exhibition has attracted participation from some of the world’s top international food and beverage brands eager for their slice of a $70bn market opportunity. More than 300 brands representing 27 countries will exhibit at Foodex Saudi, including the likes of Mars, Almarai and Savola Group. The event will take place at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events from 8-11 December…
This specially created version of the family classic, written and directed by Juan Boshoff, will take place on Madinat Theatre’s stage on December 20-31. Tickets: AED 250 - AED 350 Shows timings: •20 December - 7.00pm •21 to 24 December - 11.00am and 3.00pm •26 to 28 December - 3.00pm and 7.00pm •29 to 30 December - 11.00am and 3.00pm •31 December – 3.00pm
Irhal.com was shortlisted by the Global Islamic Economy Summit 2013 Award selection committee as one of the top three nominees for the Halal Travel Award. Alhamdolillah we are honoured to receive such recognition of the efforts we have been making for assisting Muslim travelers.
InterContinental Hotels Group is set to open its eagerly awaited InterContinental Davos in December 2013. Perfectly positioned at the foot of the Flüela Pass, the hotel is set above the shores of Lake Davos, offering magnificent views of the Grison Alps and featuring stunning, contemporary design. The hotel boasts 216 rooms and suites.
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba has opened its doors on the island’s pristine Palm Beach, marking the hotel group’s sixth luxury resort in the exclusive Caribbean & Mexico portfolio. The property features 320 guestrooms, including 55 suites, with private balconies and sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Two Ritz-Carlton suites deliver panoramic oceanfront views with outdoor showers, while the expansive Club Lounge…
British Airways has launched a new advert and advertising first, with its latest ‘magic of flying’ campaign, which has just gone live. The campaign will immediately engage with customers as the adverts, located on digital billboards in Chiswick and Piccadilly, will actually interact with the aircraft flying overhead, thanks to surveillance technology custom built by Ogilvy 12th Floor and managed by Storm,…
With the month of festive shopping just up ahead, Selfridges’ new drive-through shopping service is incredibly timely. The departmental store in London recently launched a ‘Click & Collect’ service that lets users make their orders online, and pick them up at the store first thing the next day. Customers can select any of the Selfridges stores to collect their items from.
At the inaugural World Ski Awards held in Kitzbuhel, Austria, Val Thorens ski resort in France (and the largest ski area in the world!) was named the ultimate ski destination. Other big winners include Canada’s Bighorn in Revelstoke, British Columbia, which took the title of World’s Best Ski Chalet; Aurelio Lech in Austria, named the World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel; and the Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor Gulch in…
Rolls-Royce has won a $300m order from Qatar Airways for Trent 700 engines, with long-term TotalCare support, to power five Airbus A330 freighter aircraft. The order for five Airbus A330 Freighters and eight options was announced earlier. Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce, president, civil large engines, said: “We look forward to further developing our relationship with a valued customer and welcome Qatar…
The man in charge of trying to bring the Olympic Games to Turkey has vowed to return with the “strongest bid yet” and make history by bringing the massive global event to the Middle East for the very first time. Hasan Arat was in charge of the Istanbul 2020 bid but eventually lost out to Tokyo – despite the city receiving widespread praise during the bidding process. Speaking ahead of his appearance…
DOHA, Qatar 20 November 2013 – Qatar Airways announced it will begin flights to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh effective 28 May 2014, operating five flights weekly. Flying direct from Doha, Qatar Airways the new route will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a two-cabin configuration, offering passengers 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. Recognised as a World Heritage Site,…
Located in Shenzhen, China, The Pengheng Space Capsule Hotel looks like it is from the future. Decorated with neon blue lights and shiny silver surfaces, this hotel is mostly maintained by robots with a few staff members to help with operations. Guests order food and drinks from the lounge with tablets, and robots come in to serve them minutes later. Like any capsule hotel, there are also…
