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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The Brazilian Trade Mission to the Middle East, which was organised by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) and the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, concluded recently in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with export deals worth USD 47.2 million either closed during the event or to be consummated within the next 12 months involving 30 Brazilian companies and…
The Ministry of Tourism in Oman has announced that it has set up a representative office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that will tap the Kingdom’s image as a major outbound market in the GCC region. The average spending of Saudi tourists overseas ranks among the highest in the world. Another key factor in the decision to open the new office cited by the Ministry is the preference of Saudi travelers to take trips…
The world’s first space tourist, Dennis Tito, has unveiled plans to send a manned mission to Mars and back, targeting a launch date less than five years away. The two space travelers wouldn’t land on the Red Planet — or even enter its orbit — just fly through the vicinity and back, a trajectory Tito said would take 501 days, thanks to a rare planetary alignment. The US space agency has aimed for the…
Dubai rolled out the red carpet Wednesday night for a roster of celebrities that included British singer Leona Lewis to help open the tallest hotel in the world. In a city already oozing with glitz and glamour, the opening party for the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai amped up the voltage escorting 1,200 party guests into the hotel with fire dances and stilt walkers under the constant flicker of flashbulbs.…
After a 12-year run, Gordon Ramsay is packing up his knives and leaving the kitchens of luxury London hotel Claridge’s. According to Caterer and Hotelkeeper, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s will close June 30, after Ramsay and the hotel owners failed to agree on a long-term contract. After a falling out with head chef Mark Sargeant, who helped the fine dining eatery gain a Michelin star, the hotel…
A re-construction of the ill-fated Titanic—‘Titanic II’—is set to embark on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in 2016. A project by the Australian Blue Star Line, the new cruise-liner—with the same beautiful, skillfully crafted interiors of the original ship—will be able to give guests a glamorous, Edwardian-style travel experience. Featuring a new hull form, diesel powered generation…
The ultra-luxurious and signature property, Armani Hotel Dubai will mark its second year of participation at Dubai’s annual culinary extravaganza, ‘Taste of Dubai 2013,’ with a delectable showcase of its signature dishes from Armani/Ristorante and Armani/Amal. Featuring the authentic taste of Italy and flavours derived from the spice trail of India, Armani/Ristorante and Armani/Amal will feature tasting…
Dubai, UAE - Starwood Hotels & Resorts in the UAE has received the globally-recognised Green Key award for their commitment to sustainably and environmental preservation. Starwood Hotels received 13 awards of a total of 21 given in the UAE. The hotels recognised by Green Key include, Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Aloft Abu Dhabi, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, Four Points by Sheraton Downtown, Four…
After asking female globetrotters how hotels can anticipate their needs in research carried out over 18 months, Hyatt introduced a new service they call “Hyatt Has It”. The new ‘Hyatt Has It’ service will offer phone charger, hair curlers and steamers, yoga mats, make-up remover wipes and razors to female guests. In response to their female respondents’ desire to eat healthily while traveling and on…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways has held its Annual Emergency Exercise to conduct a realistic assessment of the airline’s preparedness in the event of a real life aircraft emergency. The exercise involved a Qatar Airways aircraft experiencing an emergency shortly after take-off from one of its worldwide destinations. Almost 200 staff members including key senior executives and Qatar Airways Chief…
You may not know this, but beloved children’s book author Dr. Seuss—or Theodor Seuss Geisel—was a great lover and collector of hats. The owner of hundreds of hats of every description, Geisel kept them in a closet hidden behind the bookcase in his San Diego home. Random House Children’s Books, longtime publisher of the Dr. Seuss books, has collaborated with Dr. Seuss Enterprises on a traveling…
While this flying balloon house is a more precise recreation of the one in Disney Pixar’s “Up”, you may feel safer traveling in this professionally made hot air balloon. This wonderful hot air balloon took six months to build—there were 540 individually sewn balloons on it to create the illusion that it was being lifted by real balloons. The pilot of this unusual contraption had to fly blind—with…
If you like hotel rooms with a view, you might want to check into the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai. With the height of 1,164 feet (355 meters) and 72 floors, the ‘world’s tallest hotel’ will be officially opened tomorrow. Owned by the Emirates Group, the luxury hotel has taken the Guinness Book of World Record title from the previous record holder—the 1,093 feet Rose Tower, which is also situated in…
Foreign tourism is “booming” in North Korea, state media said Tuesday a week after the country triggered global outrage by conducting its third nuclear test. The number of foreign visitors to the North has grown steadily since 2000 and witnessed a surge after 2009, especially in the number of European visitors, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. “The global popularity of tourism to (North…
To celebrate the London Underground’s 150 years anniversary, the London Transport Museum brought back the steam locomotives—but just for two days. The locomotive and its wooden carriages had to be restored to their former glory, before pulling into the station and traveling on the railroad down memory lane. Passengers could buy tickets for the nostalgic ride—exactly as Victorian-era travelers used…
Beach-loving holidaymakers can make a trip to Tropical Islands, a tropical beach resort constructed entirely indoors, for a truly unique vacation. Located in Krausnick, Germany, Tropical Islands is housed in a former Soviet military airbase hangar that originally parked cargo airships—at 360-meters long, 210-meters wide, and 107-meters high, the hangar is tall enough to enclose the Statue of Liberty.…
The Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism will conduct a presentation about Oman’s increasing focus on business tourism during its participation at the MICE Arabia Congress, taking place in Doha, Qatar from February 27 to 28, 2013. Khalid Al Zadjali, Director of Tourism Events at the Oman Ministry of Tourism, will attend as an invited speaker to share key industry insights about Oman’s latest business tourism…
Enjoy a four-course blind tasting set menu of French delicacies and let Chef Alexandre Pernetta serve you your sumptuous dessert 50 metres high. Indulge in the breathtaking views of the Grand Mosque and Qaryat Al Beri complex as you dine in the sky. Priced at Dhs 1220 ++ per person. Available only on Friday, 22 March 2013.
After the success of the first tournament in 2012, InterContinental Aqaba Resort has announced organizing the second billiards tournament at its very own Martini’s Lounge. The billiards tournament will commence on Thursday February 28th and will last for three days. Many avid fans of this popular game have already registered to participate in the tournament, where the top three winners will get many…
Christie’s auction house will put 125 works of art by the American pop icon Andy Warhol under the hammer in an online-only sale starting next week. The auction, which will start Tuesday and run through March 25, will be the first time that Warhol’s art is sold strictly online, Christie’s said Thursday. Sales “will feature works representing a wide array of media spanning the artist’s career,” the…
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, is collaborating with Jimmy Choo to offer a hotel package and afternoon tea that is inspired by the Spring 2013 collection. Featured on the menu are Smoked salmon cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese (designed to resemble the CAYLA clutch), Foie gras high heels on crispy brioche bread, and Ham mousse sandwiches served with Savora mustard. The choice of sweet…
In less than two months, North American LEGO fanatics will be able to book a stay at the continent’s first LEGO hotel. The finishing touches are being put on the fantasy-inspired Legoland Hotel in Carlsbad, California—while the hotel itself is not constructed of tiny plastic bricks, the bright, color-blocked façade will certainly bring to mind everyone’s favourite childhood toy. Scroll down for a…
Swedish interactive agency Forsman and Bodenfors has launched an interesting charity campaign to raise awareness for the 3,400 homeless people in Gothenburg—a hotel that lets you book a night at 10 locations where the city’s homeless is likely to rest. From under the open sky in public parks to damp spots under bridges, the faux Faktum hotel hardly offers the most comfortable of lodgings, but it does make…
Sharjah, UAEL Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced that it flew a record number of passengers in January 2013 as the airline carried almost half a million passengers. Latest statistics released by the airline show that it carried a total of 492,847 passengers in the month, an increase of nearly 15 per cent as compared to a year earlier. This…
