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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Men’s lifestyle magazine GQ is poised to open a sleek new restaurant inside the world’s tallest hotel in Dubai. After opening the Vogue Cafe at The Dubai Mall in May — likewise the largest shopping center in the world — Condé Nast International has set its sights on planting another flag at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. The 994-square-meter GQ restaurant will span two floors and serve contemporary…
Paris, FRANCE – June 27, 2013 – The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., today reopens the doors to the legendary Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, following a meticulous two-year restoration. The restoration, which has brought the hotel back to its original Art Deco splendour, is part of a larger strategy to invest more than $200 million…
Two artificial service islands are being built near the coasts of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to accommodate growing numbers of passenger cars and cargo trucks. King Fahd Causeway Authority chief Badr Al-Otaishan unveiled the plan during a meeting with causeway officials and Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif. The present island will be turned into a recreational and tourist attraction.…
A China State Construction Engineering Corp. unit agreed to invest in a $1 billion hotel and luxury-residential project on Dubai’s man-made island. The state-owned developer, based in Beijing, formed a venture with SKAI Holdings, the project’s owner, the companies said today in a statement. The resort will include a 481-room hotel and 221 suites as well as 250 serviced apartments on the trunk of the…
Along with phone bills, traffic and the weather, airlines likewise rank high on the ‘favorite things to complain about’ list.
The 56-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation has backed Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut the number of foreign pilgrims by 20 percent during this Haj season, saying it was essential to ensure the safety and security of the guests of God. “This is a temporary decision that was taken as a result of the ongoing expansion work at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and holy sites,” said OIC Secretary-General…
The Sharjah Municipality has announced new timings for its services to the public during the holy month of Ramadan. The change in timings will include public car parking in various parts of the city to start from 8am to 1pm and then from 7pm up to midnight. The public health clinic will be operative from 9am until 2pm and from 9pm to 11pm to provide best health services and avoid the crowd expected…
Doha, Qatar (June 2013) – Last week, the W Doha Hotel & Residences in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment in Doha, spearheaded a campaign to preserve the beauty of Qatar’s national beaches. Green enthusiasts and volunteers descended on ‘Qatar Family Beach’, a four-kilometer stretch of beach to remove litter and algae pollution. The cleanup is part of an initiative to save Qatar’s marine environment…
MUSCAT, Oman – June 26, 2013 – Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel is introducing two packages this summer for GCC residents and guests looking to spend the hot summer months in the hotel’s lush and luxurious surroundings. GCC Summer Getaway Starting from OMR 85 per room per night, the GCC Summer Getaway package offers overnight accommodation, a sumptuous buffet breakfast for two adults at Al…
‘Micro Luggage’ is a luggage that has an attached scooter. Instead of pulling or pushing your bags, with Micro Luggage, users can scoot off easily and get around the airport at a much quicker pace. Created by Zinich, the hard-shell luggage has pull-out handlebars and running board with flip-out wheels. The scooter luggage is also made in cabin-sized dimensions, so you can hand-carry it onto…
France’s most recognizable monument, the Eiffel Tower, has been shut down because of a strike. The company that manages the tower says the CGT union, which represents most of the Eiffel Tower’s 300 workers, called the walkout Tuesday morning. Company director Nicolas Lefebvre told The Associated Press that management and the union are in negotiations this week over salary raises, company profit-sharing…
Anyone who has flown on a commercial airliner has heard the flight attendant tell passengers to turn off all cell phones, computers, e-readers and other devices once the cabin door is closed, and leave them off until the plane reaches 10,000 feet. The FAA has recognised this is an area of intense consumer interest, so the agency has brought all the important stakeholders together to facilitate a discussion…
British Airways has compiled a list of top 100 films that inspire people to travel. These include classic films like “Casablanca” (which was not shot in Casablanca), “Around the World in 80 Days” and “The Sound of Music” as well as newer movies like “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” which attracted people to New Zealand and “Up” which is an animated film about flying in a hot air balloon. According to a…
While Paris is famous as a tourist destination, Parisians are known for being impolite and unhelpful to tourists. The Paris tourist board along with the Paris Chamber of Commerce wants to change this. They are handing out a six-page guide on better etiquette to taxi drivers, waiters, tourist area sales people and hotel managers so that they can become tourist friendly. More than 29 million people visited…
Gatwick Airport has reported an increase of 4.2 per cent in turnover for the year to March 31st, up to £539 million. Combined with continued “careful cost management”, this resulted a 2.5 per cent increase in EBITDA, to £227 million, although a loss in the financial year of £29 million reflects the asset-intensive nature of the business and the continued investment being made across the airport, Gatwick…
An ancient Egyptian statue appears to have started moving on its own, much to the amazement of scientists and museum curators. The statue of Neb-Senu, believed to date to 1800 B.C., is housed in the Manchester Museum in England — at least for now. But if the statue keeps moving, there's no telling where it will end up. The museum says it installed a stop-motion camera after reports the carving had…
Westin Hotels has launched a nationwide search across the US for its first resident running concierge who will hit the pavement leading run groups for guests. Passionate runners with an appetite for travel are being invited to apply for the RunWestin Concierge position to act as an on-site running expert traveling across the country to help guests prepare for a series of Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons throughout…
The Maldives is seen as one of the world's top wedding and honeymoon destinations. Its pristine white sands and year-round tropical climate undoubtedly contribute to its popularity, along with its choices of superb venues, including Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives. Located just south of the equator on Villingili Island, on the southern-most tip of Addu Atoll, Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and…
Officials at the United States National Park Service has confirmed Liberty Island, damaged by Hurricane Sandy, will reopen on July 4th. Ellis Island, also damaged in the storm, requires more extensive repairs and remains closed. There is no reopening date at this time. Advance reservations are required for access to the Statue of Liberty’s crown. Tickets are for a specific date and time…
“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I did not think that I would fall for this. But I did. The Peru stand at the Arabian Travel Market was tempting visitors with their gastronomical delights. I was snared by their fish. Soaking in lemon, coriander and green chilies, it was enough to make me want to go to Peru! Alvaro Silva-Santisteban, Director of PromPeru, the Trade, Tourism & Investment Office…
Chocolate trains are old news, and there should be cake at every birthday party. To celebrate Heathrow Express’s 15th anniversary, Miss Cakehead, together with Mischief PR and a team of specialist bakers and food artists from Eat Your Heart Out, made a train entirely of cake. Arrived at London’s Paddington Station, the edible train carriage measures 1.5 x 4 x 2 meters. It took the entire team…
Cairo, EGYPT – Qatar Airways is set to increase frequency on its popular Cairo – Doha route to triple daily flights beginning July 1 ahead of the busy summer travel season. The Doha-based carrier is introducing five flights to its current 16 services a week, taking frequency up to three flights each day offering passengers more choice, greater flexibility and additional travel options. Qatar…
(Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 24 2013) – Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport celebrated the grand opening of the Airport’s first Minute Suites® location, an around-the-clock nap center for passengers to relax, conduct business or sleep in a private suite available by the hour. The first of two Minute Suites® centers planned for DFW officially opened today in Terminal D near gate D23 with nine sleep…
Dubai has added a new item to its top ambitions such as building the world’s largest Ferris wheel and bidding for an Angry Birds theme park — a site honoring the Quran. The estimated $7.3 million project will include a garden with plants mentioned in the Islamic holy book and an air-conditioned tunnel depicting events from the Quran. Dubai media quoted the city’s director of projects, Mohammed Noor…
