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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Wallpaper magazine recently highlighted a new breed of designer hostels that aims to provide affordable, quality accommodations for the design-conscious budget traveler. With their beautiful interiors,—featuring elements like hand-picked vintage furniture and stylish, comfortable rooms—it would be easy to mistake these hostels for up-market boutique hotels. Located in busy cities,—from Madrid to…
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, set to open on 15th August this year, was visited by Starwood President and CEO, Frits van Paasschen, as part of an exclusive dignitary pre-opening inspection. The executives met the hotel team led by Oliver Key, General Manager of The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, who was accompanied by the Michelin-starred chef, Gary Rhodes. Rhodes has been…
Abu Dhabi marked its record-breaking appearance at the ITB Berlin travel trade fair by scooping double honours in the Cologne Business School show awards. The authority, which mounted a pavilion shared by 63 stakeholders, took the award for ‘Best Exhibit & Attractions’ recognising the cultural attractions of a calligraphy, henna design and perfumery which proved popular with visitors. The authority…
Heavy snow and icy conditions have caused delays and disruption to flights across the UK as the winter weather continues with a number of airports and roads being closed. Airlines are warning passengers travelling to or from the UK to check the status of their flights before travelling. Flight delays have been reported to and from Leeds Bradford, George Best Belfast City Airport and Heathrow Airport…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways are preparing to host a culinary sensation next week with the fourth edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park on Doha’s waterfront from March 28 – 31. Over four days of family fun and entertainment with gastronomic alfresco eating, drinking and cooking, QIFF will tempt visitors’ taste buds with…
ATM 2013 technology seminar series to highlight increasing shift away from traditional channels with internet bookings expected to grow by another $5.4 billion accounting for 22% of all travel bookings within two years. The topic of online versus traditional booking channels will once again be a key focus at the 2013 Arabian Travel Market technology seminar sessions as organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions,…
The Park Hotels, pioneers of design-led boutique hotels in India, introduces a refreshed brand experience, with a revived visual identity and promise. Commencing on 1st April 2013, the first phase of the re-brand will be unveiled across The Park Hotels’ 12 properties in 10 Indian cities. Two years in the making and costing the group 2.25 million USD, there will be a new look and feel across the hotels, as…
French graffiti artist Tilt has made quite the decor choice in a Marseille, France hotel room, aptly named Panic Room. After being asked to decorate one of the guest suites, Tilt decided to cover half of the room in graffiti, while leaving the other half a completely blank canvas. Tilt explains, “The hotel Au vieux panier asked me to design a room, I first told them that I wasn’t interested doing just…
A British luxury e-commerce site is selling a travel package that spans two years and takes a couple across the world in the lap of luxury, seeing all of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. The price of the package? A cool $1.5 million. The luxury trip will take in all of UNESCO’s spectacular 962 World Heritage Sites, including the Taj Mahal in India, the pyramids in Egypt and the Forbidden City in China as well…
Lion Air of Indonesia has placed a firm order with Airbus for 234 A320 Family aircraft, comprising 109 A320neo, 65 A321neo and 60 A320ceo. The deal sees the carrier become a new customer for Airbus. The order was finalised earlier at a special ceremony at the Elysée Palace in Paris in the presence of president François Hollande of France, who witnessed the signing of documents by Rusdi Kirana,…
German flag-carrier Lufthansa has been forced to cancel more than 500 flights today as staff take industrial action over pay and conditions. Staff are staging walk-outs at Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne airports and other locations between 05:00 and 12:00 today. Lufthansa has cancelled most of its domestic and short-haul flights during this time. However, long-haul…
French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac was given carte blanche to create a work of art for the new Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche in Morocco. The permanent art installation, entitled “Fatal Oriental Syncronicity,” has been set up at the center of the luxury hotel’s Le Casart bar. One of the bar’s walls bears a quote from Michael Curtiz’s iconic film “Casablanca” (1942), uttered by the…
Luxury hotel group Relais & Chateaux has released a set of 33 travel itineraries in 12 countries which they’ve dubbed the ‘Road to Happiness.’ Hotels admitted into the exclusive club are often historic landmarks such as castles or manors, set in some of the most bucolic areas of the world and must meet exacting standards of excellence. Road to Happiness routes are mapped to highlight the best of a…
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 21, 2013 – The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi will join millions around the world in turning off lights for Earth Hour 2013 to illuminate a powerful message about environmental awareness and action. Earth Hour 2013 takes place on March 23 at 8:30 p.m. local time. Created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour is the largest movement for the planet in…
Australia’s second-largest city Melbourne will have the tallest building in the southern hemisphere after approval Monday for a 388-metre apartment and hotel complex. The Victorian state government said Australia 108 would become the world’s 19th tallest building and would be “an outstanding addition to Melbourne’s skyline”. Architect Nonda Katsalidis said the tall, slender building which will have…
March, 18, 2013 (DUBAI, UAE) –– The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global financial services, has found the quirkiest gift stories by means of a radio competition and rewarded the winner with a ticket back home. The competition named “The Gift of Possibility” which was run on Europa Plus radio, asked listeners to cite examples of the funniest and most unusual gift they had received. The…
Oman’s Ministry of Tourism and Oman Air, the national airline of Oman, have announced the launch of “Oman Short Breaks”, a joint project to provide great-value, ready-made holiday packages in various major tourist destinations in Oman, during a launch event held last night (March 18, 2013) at the Atlantis Hotel – The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. The holiday packages include return tickets from Oman Air and accommodation…
Astaş Holding is pleased to announce its collaboration with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotel groups, for the branding and operation of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum. This collaboration with one of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands will bring an exciting new investment opportunity for potential real estate investors from the Gulf region. The…
(Dubai 19 March 2013): Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Dubai and Middle East Office in conjunction with Royal Thai Consulate General - Dubai, Thai Trade Office and Thai Airways International - Dubai are hosting ‘Songkran Splash’ - an Amazing Thailand Night 2013 on Monday, March 25th at Westin Dubai Mina Siyahi Beach Resort & Spa. The event which is open to partners, media and travel agents is being held to…
Mattala, Sri Lanka; March 19, 2013: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today touched down at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Sri Lanka. The inaugural flight which landed at 11:50 am becomes the first ever international carrier to arrive in the Mattala airport. The maiden flight was marked by an official Air Arabia delegation and was…
China’s Spring Airlines Co., the nation’s biggest privately-owned carrier, is planning to start selling cars onboard its aircraft, Bloomberg reports. To complement the other items already on sale, the discount airline is in talks with several automakers about offering their cars at prices starting at $16,000. Flight attendants will be trained to provide information on the vehicles, and special…
Internet giant Google has confirmed it will sponsor the Arabian Travel Market Technology Theatre as part of the newly launched Digital Technology Day on May 8th. Google will be using the Technology Theatre to share insights of the travel industry and technology under the umbrella theme of “Think Travel”. “This is a first for ATM and the regional travel and tourism community. “Our partnership…
The British Foreign Office has warned tourists travelling to Cyprus to take pounds and euros as well as credit and debit cards as fears grow the banking crisis in the country will mean they cannot access money. The Cypriot government announced plans for a savings levy in a bid to protect its banking sector over the weekend. The £8.6 billion bailout agreed by the EU and IMF demands all bank customers…
Join professional ‘Torcedora’ cigar roller, Ivette Garcia, from the ‘Romeo & Juliet’ factory in Habana, Cuba, for a live cigar rolling session in the renowned Cigar Lounge of The Address Downtown Dubai. Purchase a cigar during the course of the event, and receive a freshly rolled Cuban Cigar, compliments of the Torcedora. Cigar connoisseurs and aficianados can enjoy the rest of their evening on the al…
