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 169–192 of 5,397
The Skellig Ring drive, on the southwestern tip of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, has been named one of the top regions in the world for travelers in Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2017” yearbook. The Skellig Ring is a coastal drive that is an extension of the famous Ring of Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way – described as “perhaps Ireland’s most charismatically wild and emerald stretch of coastline”. Skellig…
The first major exhibition of Qurans in the U.S., “The Art of the Qur’an: Treasures from the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts” opened at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22 2016. If you are planning a trip to Washington DC over the next few months be sure to visit as the exhibition runs thru Feb. 20, 2017. The exhibition has been organized by the Smithsonian’s Sackler…
Emirates has completed a major makeover of its Business Class lounge at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport. The US$11 million refurbishment project took two years to complete. The latest food and beverage concepts cater to diverse tastes and include a barista experience in partnership with Costa Coffee and a Health hub with Voss water featuring healthier options. All the food and beverages offered…
CLYMB, a 100-million-dollar indoor attraction, which will include the world’s widest flight chamber and tallest indoor climbing wall is being built at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Visitors to the flight chamber will be able to mimic the experience of skydiving within an unmatched width of 9.75 meters(32 feet); making it the world’s widest. CLYMB will also feature the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall at a height of…
Qatar Airways will unite two football giants – Europe’s FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi FC – for a friendly match in Doha. The football giants, both sponsored by Qatar Airways, will play a friendly match in Thani Bin Jassim Stadium (Al-Gharrafa Stadium) on Tuesday, 13 December, 2016. The announcement is certain to attract a large number of fans from both clubs, especially from nearby Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-based…
After the passing away of Thailand's monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the country is in mourning. All concerts and entertainment events have been canceled for the remainder of 2016. Even the famous Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng Festival, the annual sky lantern festival has been canceled. Travelers planning to visit Thailand should check before heading there.
Dubai Parks and Resorts, the region’s largest integrated theme park destination, announced that it will now open on 31st October with LEGOLAND® Dubai and Riverland™ Dubai, the retail dining and entertainment district. Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, LEGOLAND® Water Park and the Lapita™ Hotel will open to the public on 15th November while MOTIONGATE™ Dubai will premiere on 16th December. Daily tickets for LEGOLAND®…
The inaugural Qatar Airways flight to Helsinki, Finland, landed today. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker and the Finnish Ambassador to Qatar, Mrs. Riitta Swan travelled on board the inaugural flight and were greeted by a VIP delegation including Finland’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Mrs. Anne Berner; the President and Chief Executive Officer of Finavia, Mr. Kari Savolainen; the…
Hollywood actress, director and producer Jennifer Aniston has starred in a new Emirates A380 global TV commercial which has already crossed 1 million views in just 24 hours after its launch. The ad builds on the success of the first Emirates-Jennifer Aniston ad launched last year, a much talked-about campaign which quickly went viral. In the ad, Jennifer befriends Cooper, a feisty young boy whom she finds…
Those of you planning a trip to Qatar may want to check out Qatar’s first leisure destination Sealine Beach, a Murwab Resort, which has now opened following a major renovation. “We are pleased to be finally showcasing our meticulously restored resort to visitors and families. Our valued guests now have the chance to experience the distinctive seaside location, lavishly modern furnishing and fixtures, and…
Amaseena, the outdoors restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, is reopening for the winter season on October 6 2016. With the onset of pleasant weather in Dubai, guests will be able to enjoy delicious authentic Arab dishes under the stars. Located in the heart of Dubai Marina, just a few steps from the famous JBR Walk, every Wednesday and Thursday evening Chef Rami hosts "the taste of the Arab world" in which the…
Qatar Airways, Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar’s Ministry of Interior have just announced a revised tourism visa scheme available to passengers transiting through Doha in a move to promote Qatar as a stopover destination. The new transit visa structure now allows passengers with a minimum transit time of five hours in Hamad International Airport, to stay in Qatar for up to 96 hours (four days), without the…
The CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons made a special visit to Dubai with nine Irish hospitality industry professionals as part of a sales mission to promote tourism from the UAE to Ireland. The sales mission showcased Ireland’s filming locations of hit TV series Game of Thrones and blockbuster movie, Star Wars. Speaking at the event, Niall Gibbons said: “The Sales Mission comes at a time when visitor…
Stay at the five star Banana Island Resort with your children. Only 10 minutes from Doha city centre. Enjoy water sports and fine dining at this alcohol free resort. For booking please click here.
Emirates’ Airbus A380 touched down at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan for a one-off service. The celebratory A380 flight, touched down to a water cannon salute with almost 400 passengers on-board. Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Emirates, said: “It is fitting that after 30 years of solid service on the Amman - Dubai route, we have landed our…
At a ceremony in Hong Kong, Qatar Airways was awarded the title of Best Middle East/African Airline by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific. Based on a survey of its readers and frequent flyers, the awards honor the leading players in the hospitality business and this is the 7th year in a row that Qatar Airways has received this award. Representing the airline at the 2016 Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards,…
Hamad International Airport (HIA) welcomed 17.6 million passengers during the first half of 2016, registering a growth of more than 20 per cent compared to the same period last year, setting a new passenger record for the airport. HIA also saw 118,069 aircraft movements from January to June 2016 - a 17 per cent increase in aircraft take-offs and landings at the airport, compared to the same period in 2015. This…
With a large Muslim population, London is a great city for a Halal Food Festival and the gastronomic delights of London's balti loving community was piqued by an array of delicious Halal treats at Tobacco Dock which was the venue of the London Halal Food Festival from August 20-21 2016. From chicken wings eating competitions to admiring the upmarket steaks sold by HS&Co, Muslim tourists and local Londoners…
The 19th edition of Dubai's summer extravaganza came to an end on Saturday, August 21 2016 after 43 days of fun and fanfare. Clowns and jugglers entertained Dubai visitors and shoppers enjoyed the great bargains that were on offer. Several valuable prizes were also given away to lucky winners during Dubai Summer Surprises. With the school year starting again and summer almost behind us, parents will now get…
Emirates will operate its flagship A380 on services between Dubai and Guangzhou from 1st October 2016, the 67th National Day of People’s Republic of China. This follows the airline’s recent announcements of A380 deployment on its Milan and Johannesburg routes. Guangzhou will join more than 40 destinations on Emirates’ extensive global network served by its highly popular A380 aircraft, including Beijing,…
The United Nations World Tourism Organization has praised the Indonesian governemnt for its open visa policy that enables tourists from 169 countries to get a visa on arrival. Nationals of all GCC countries, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt are eligible for visa free entry for 30 days. By allowing tourists to enter the country unfettered, the Indonesian government has become one of the most liberal…
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has designated August 2016 as a 'month for woman travelers', in celebration of Queen Sirikit’s birthday, to encourage the growth of global and domestic female travel. In order to promote this initiative and inspire female travelers to come to Thailand, the Thai Tourism Authority has come up with five different promotional concepts: Beautiful LOOK, Beautiful SHAPE, Beautiful…
Emirates Airline launched its inaugural flight to Yangon, Myanmar, this morning. This marks the 155th destination served by the airline which was recently named as the world's best airline by Skytrax based on a survey of several million air travelers. The flight was welcomed by a water cannon salute followed by a press conference and an exchange of gifts by Badr Abbas, Senior Vice President Commercial…
