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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Communications agency MRM designed an app for Latvia-based loyalty program Baltic Miles called, 'Burn The Miles', which rewards redeemable points to frequent fliers, based on how far they have traveled. App users are challenged to "match every mile they fly with a calorie burned in the space of 24 hours after they land." For example, if you flew about 1074.52 miles from Latvia to London, your target would…
Istanbul, Turkey; Turkish Airlines has entered into an agreement with Booking.com, to provide online bookings with guaranteed best prices at nearly 300,000 hotels around the world. Turkish Airlines now provides access to a worldwide selection of hotels, apartments, villas and B&B’s at the best rates available, enabling all Turkish Airlines passengers to find and book their perfect accommodation solution…
Rocco Forte Hotels have teamed up with luxury car company Elite Rent-a–Car to offers car enthusiasts an unforgettable road tour of Germany this summer. Famed for its autobahns, Germany makes for the perfect driving holiday. As part of an exclusive five day tour, guests can take to the road in the latest supercar to discover some of the country’s most stunning landscapes in style. Starting in Munich, Germany’s…
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Afternoon Tea, a tradition that dates back to the classic English Victorian era continues to gain popularity in the sunnier climes of the capital. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, the city’s beachfront address, has reported a threefold increase in number of discerning guests indulging in the leisurely activity of afternoon tea, which includes an assortment of…
In a worldwide poll that aimed to gauge tipping habits around the globe, Germans have emerged as the most likely to leave a tip while traveling, while Italians emerged as the stingiest of tippers. In a TripAdvisor poll of more than 9,000 respondents across eight countries, 69 percent of German holidaymakers said they always leave a tip while traveling — out-tipping Americans, for whom tipping is ingrained…
World Travel Market 2013 will host its first A Taste of ILTM at WTM on November 4th-5th this year. A Taste of ILTM at WTM, in association with fellow Reed Travel Exhibitions event International Luxury Travel Market, will see up to 60 luxury UK buyers - who buy global products - hold a minimum of 30 pre-scheduled business meetings with luxury exhibitors. The event brings the successful pre-scheduled…
Kenya Airways has announced the commencement of direct flights to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, as it grows its presence in the Middle East. The airline will start operating the service on the route from July 1st, 2013, flying three times a week between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi. The city of Abu Dhabi is the second KQ destination in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai where…
Using various types of technology, including video mapping, light projection and motion graphics, the creative team of the Spinifex Group have created a special lightshow for the Sydney Opera House. Part of the Vivid Sydney Festival, which is dedicated to creativity, this laser lightshow will be showcased from 24 May to 10 June 2013.
Newly retired soccer superstar, David Beckham, revealed his plans to team up with the acerbic chef Gordon Ramsay to open up a sports bar and grill in Las Vegas. According to The Sun, hotelier and business tycoon Steve Wynn, who owns the Wynn Las Vegas, is wooing the pair to help him open a sports bar and grill along the strip. And while the city is already saturated with restaurants, including a trio…
Marriott International has celebrated the opening of the Courtyard Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter with a variety of on-site celebrations. Courtyard by Marriott, the world’s 11th largest hotel brand, already has a strong footprint in the region with properties in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Meqbel, mayor of Riyadh, participated in the official opening…
Oman Air CEO Wayne Pearce has, at an event held on 14th May, thanked staff for achieving 100% on-time departures across the airline’s network. The outstanding result was achieved on April 26th, when every scheduled service from each one of Oman Air’s 42 destinations took off with no delay whatsoever. After thanking all members of staff involved, directly or indirectly, in ensuring the punctual…
Emirates will restart passenger flights to Tripoli from September 1st 2013, illustrating Libya’s importance in Emirates’ global network and the airline’s commitment to the country. Emirates’ three-weekly flights to Tripoli, served by a Boeing 777-200ER in a three-class configuration, will make a quick stop in Malta every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Under the new schedule, Emirates’ flight EK745…
History is repeating itself at El Celler de Can Roca, which only one month after being declared the best restaurant in the world is booked until April 2014. The Girona-based eatery about an hour’s drive outside Barcelona has officially become one of the toughest tables to secure in the world and is fully booked for the next 11 months, reports popular food blog Eater.com. Even before topping…
Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of a new Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded hotel for Abu Dhabi, UAE. The hotel, currently known as Abu Dhabi Al Maqta, will re-brand and re-open as Hilton Abu Dhabi Capital Grand in summer 2013. Described as an ‘architectural masterpiece’, the 281-room conversion property is a stunning, curved glass landmark in the capital, conveniently close to Abu Dhabi…
By the year 2020 annual growth in Muslim travel will have reached 4.8 per cent, significantly higher than the global figure of only 3.8 per cent. By this time a total of 14 per cent of all international trips will be undertaken by Muslims, according to the results of a survey presented at the ITB Berlin Convention which was carried out by Reem El Shafaki, a senior associate of DinarStandard. According…
British actor Jude Law, the heart-throb star of countless Hollywood hits, swapped red carpets for chequered flags on a recent trip to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit - the futuristic home of the emirate’s annual Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Leonardo DiCaprio is going to get closer to stars of a different kind as he heads into space aboard the Virgin Galactic, and a well-heeled bidder at the Cannes Film Festival has paid 1.2 million euros (1.5 million) to be his travel buddy. The Hollywood star’s sub-orbital trip was among 20 goodies up for grabs at the 20th amfAR bash, a gala auction that is one of the glitziest festival events and that this…
Sipping and eating through wine country in Bordeaux, Napa Valley and Tuscany have emerged as the most popular types of luxury travel desired among the richest households in the US. In a survey of 1,200 US households who bring in incomes of more than $150,000 USD, 37 percent of respondents said their ideal luxury vacation would be to take a wine tour traipsing the French, Italian or Californian countryside,…
Sipping and eating through wine country in Bordeaux, Napa Valley and Tuscany have emerged as the most popular types of luxury travel desired among the richest households in the US. In a survey of 1,200 US households who bring in incomes of more than $150,000 USD, 37 percent of respondents said their ideal luxury vacation would be to take a wine tour traipsing the French, Italian or Californian countryside,…
The B2 Boutique Hotel in Zurich has a ‘Library Lounge’ that is a dream come true for book lovers everywhere. The ‘Library Lounge’ makes good use of its 36-feet high ceiling, filling it top to bottom with over 33,000 books. The ambience is further enhanced with tall arched windows that remind one of a cathedral. Unlike a library, the ‘Library Lounge’ is not only a place to read—guests are also…
The 102-room Holiday Inn Express Manisa is scheduled to open in early 2014 in Turkey. The property will operate under a franchise agreement with Procons Turizm and be managed by T&T Consulting who currently manage the Holiday Inn Express Istanbul - Altunizade. This is the latest development for IHG, which celebrated its highest number of openings in Europe in 2012 for four years, opening 39 hotels…
The title of 'World's Tallest Building' is constantly changing hands. China's Broad Sustainable Construction (BSC) is set to start constructing a 2,750-foot (838m), 220-story high Sky City in Changsha, China. It is slated for completion at the end of this year. The building won't be built up in the traditional way. Its components have been mass-produced in factories years ahead and will be brought…
United Airlines is rolling out 180-degree flat-bed seats and personal on-demand entertainment in premium cabins on every scheduled, long-haul international flight from the New York area. “We continue to invest in every aspect of the customer experience – online, in our airports and in the air,” said Jeff Foland, United’s executive vice president – marketing, technology and strategy. “With more robust…
Abu Dhabi’s 142 hotels and hotel apartment had their best April on record last month with rises in most key performance indicators, according to figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). During the month some 236,704 guests checked into Abu Dhabi accommodation - a 20% rise on April last year – with guest nights jumping by almost a third to 738,797. “One of the…
