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.
Read full storyShowing 1,633–1,656 of 5,397
In many places, January’s drab gray skies can damper spirits. Prompting many to seek out sunnier climes. Here is a small selection of places to escape to. Vietnam Wintertime in the northern hemisphere is an ideal time to discover Vietnam. The cool temperatures in the north will allow you to relax and breathe, especially at night.Travelers will enjoy the dry sunny weather in the south. The…
News that a Singaporean hotelier has taken over popular London chef Fergus Henderson’s latest venture, the St. John Hotel, has become the talk of the town in the British food world. Known as the king of offal for pioneering the nose-to-tail concept of dining in London, Henderson opened the hotel in Leicester Square in April 2011 after the project suffered a series of setbacks that put the hotel in the red…
Damac Properties is giving away luxury Audi’s with properties bought during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). Clients who purchase the Penthouse suite at Burjside Boulevard, or the signature collection at Ocean Heights, will receive a free 2014 Audi R8. Burjside Boulevard is a luxury 50-storey tower in the Burj area which will be completed later this year and Ocean Heights is a signature project in…
From Dubai to Las Vegas, London and Zhengzhou, China, restaurants catering to a female-only clientele are becoming increasingly popular the world over. The latest eatery to cater to the fair sex is set to open next month in London’s Soho area. According to The London Evening Standard, Sofakingcool on Frith Street will reopen as KC’z Bar on February 1 as a women’s-only restaurant. Though details are…
The Ritz-Carlton,Doha and Qatar Red Crescent proudly announced their partnership in 2013 to increase community awareness of local humanitarian initiatives. Building on Qatar Red Crescent's vision “To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity", QRC reaches out to organizations which share its values and goals such as The Ritz-Carlton whose “Community Footprints" program…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways today announced a capacity increase to daily scheduled services on the Doha – Warsaw route, effective February 1. The current four-times-a-week service is scheduled to move to a daily operation less than two months after the launch of flights to Poland’s capital city. The frequency rise follows a pledge by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker in December to…
From an army of cats to a light that has been on since 1950, here is a list of a few things you may not know about the magical world of Disneyland: Cat Patrol When Disneyland was undergoing renovations, a large colony of around 100 stray cats were found in Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Attempts to shoo them away failed miserably, so Disney decided to keep them to chase away rodents and other pests. Today,…
According to National Geographic, five of the top 10 chocolatiers hail from the US, while premium Swiss brand Teuscher owns bragging rights to being the world’s master chocolatier. In its list of Top 10 Best Chocolatiers in the World, National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel reveals its picks for chocolate makers who produce things like “…a single-source dark chocolate bar, a cream or liqueur-filled bonbon,…
Shoppers throughout the UAE are getting their own version of DSF this year, with festivals announced at Ajman City Centre, Fujairah City Centre, and Sharjah City Centre. Celebrating a new, exciting year of value-added shopping and family entertainment for the community, the three malls are hosting a shopping festival from January 3rd– February 3rd. Residents don’t have to go far to take advantage of deals of up…
The First Five-Star Hotel on the Trunk of the Palm Jumeirah Dubai: International residential and resort developer IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR) announced today the opening of its first hotel in Dubai – Fairmont The Palm. The US$330 million five-star beach front hotel is the only operational resort located on the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah, making it one of the island’s most accessible destinations. Talal…
Polaroid is set to open a series of experimental retail stores called Fotobars that let people come in and print digital photos stored on their phones. Aiming to turn the task of taking a digital photo and turning it into a cherished piece of art both easy and enjoyable, Polaroid hopes to open at least 10 Fotobars in 2013, the first being a 2,000 square foot store in Delray Beach, Florida, in February.…
An estimated 52 million visitors were recorded in 2012 by the New York City, which is about 2.1 per cent increase over 2011. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg touted the success on Monday, ahead of the annual mega-street party for the dropping of the New Year’s ball on Times Square. He said 41 million visitors were from inside the United States and 11 million from abroad, altogether generating about…
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of W Bangkok, marking the brand’s entry into the Thai capital. Located at the intersection of Sathorn and Narathiwas roads, the new hotel is contained within a modern, 31-storey glass and steel tower, but also includes a century-old heritage building that used to serve as the Russian embassy. W Bangkok houses 407 guestrooms and suites in the two…
As the tourism industry in Myanmar keeps growing, Silversea Cruises has announced that is adding Myanmar as part of its world itinerary to take place in 2014. Silversea Cruises announced last month that the luxurious 113-day voyage was including a two-day stay in Yangon, Myanmar. The cruise’s itinerary, to sail off from Los Angeles on January 6, also includes stops in Hawaii, Japan, India and…
Instagram, the photo-sharing app, has released a list of the most photographed places in the world via the app in 2012, with Suvarnabhumi Airport topping the chart. According to IG, over 100,000 photos were taken via Instagram at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, over the last year, making it a surprise winner. Interestingly another Bangkok landmark, the Siam Paragon shopping mall, took…
The RMS Queen Elizabeth II cruise ship is to be transformed into a floating hotel by its owners in Dubai, it has been announced. The ship, which was built for Cunard and operated between 1969 and 2008, is now due to be adapted into a floating 300-room hotel with its original furnishings. The ship will remain in the city state’s downtown Port Rashid facility to serve as a tourist magnet alongside a…
Louis Vuitton has opened a new “winter resort” store in one of the most sought-after seasonal destinations, Gstaad, Switzerland. The boutique, which is equipped with a lounge and a fireplace, is housed in a 1913 Swiss ski chalet, pairing luxury with a sense of warmth and adventure. The boutique’s range contains collections of leather goods, travel accessories, shoes and ready-to-wear for men and women.
The yacht commissioned by Steve Jobs is free to set sail after a dispute over non-payment of the designer Philippe Starck’s fees was resolved earlier this week. “The Venus is no longer impounded, we have found a solution,” Gerard Moussault, a Hague-based lawyer for the Jobs estate, told AFP. “A security deposit was paid into a bank account, but I cannot say for how much,” Moussault said after French…
Plans to open a 500-room five-star hotel near the Grand Mosque in Makkah before Ramadan are underway. The project is part of Jabal Omar housing project and will be manaed by Hilton International. The hotel will comprise of two tower buildings each with 20 floors and will be located in S1 area of the project, overlooking the mosque’s western courtyard. The hotel will have prayer areas for both men and…
Dubai, UAE: December 26, 2012: Emaar Properties PJSC, the global property developer, announced the opening of the new 820-metre long air-conditioned metro link that connects the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Metro Station with the iconic attractions in Downtown Dubai described as ‘The Centre of Now,’ today. The opening of the link will significantly add to the convenience of visitors visiting Downtown Dubai,…
The InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) selected New York for its first EVEN Hotel, the new brand with a focus on health and fitness. EVEN Hotels will put emphasize four spheres: exercise, food, work and rest. To address the needs of the clients, the 8000 square meter space will feature guest rooms with in-room workout elements such as coat racks that double as pull-up bars and menus offering healthy…
UAE, December 2012. British Airways is shedding some light on the frenzy of travel activity that takes place in the festive season in the lead-up to the holiday. The airline has revealed that this year more than 1.9 million people are booked to travel across British Airways’ network of over 175 destinations during the festive and New Year period (Saturday, December 15, 2012 to Monday, January 7, 2013).…
The solution to traveling with your valuables is finally here! Döttling, the luxury safe manufacturer, has created the Guardian, a travel safe that provides unique protection for up to six watches, jewelry, cash or documents. Weighing a mere 4 kg, the Guardian measures 35 cm long and 13.5 cm wide, and is fitted with a shoulder strap as well as carrying handle. The inner core of the Guardian is…
Phuket, in the south of Thailand, has become the carrier’s 128th destination as Dubai-based Emirates launched a non-stop daily service on December 10. The service will be operated by an A3840-300 and will serve the UAE, Middle Eastern and European markets. This is Emirates’ second destination in Thailand after Bangkok, a route that started operating back in the 1990s and currently has four daily…
