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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Meliá Hotels International, Spain’s leading hotel group, has begun its expansion into the GCC by announcing the opening of its Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand’s first property, Meliá Dubai. Located in the heart of traditional Bur Dubai, the hotel, designed by innovative renowned architect Marco Mangili, is situated within easy reach of Dubai’s main shopping and commercial districts and only 10 minutes away from…
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 29th, 2012 – A new Paramount-branded hospitality concept – Paramount Hotels & Resorts™ -- is to be announced tomorrow at the Arabian Travel Market, the hospitality industry’s premier travel and tourism event in the Middle East. The project is currently in active development by PHR LLC under license by Paramount Licensing Inc. PHR LLC secured an exclusive, long-term…
If you’re keen to avoid sitting next to your fellow passengers on a flight, you should head for the back of a plane and an odd row number, a new study has suggested. Flight comparison site Skyscanner revealed the results of its poll of 1,000 travelers’ seat preferences this week, concluding that 6A is the most sought after seat on a standard aircraft. Why? Well, it’s a window seat close to the front of the…
Asia’s first Legoland Hotel is to open in Malaysia in 2014 next to a theme park dedicated to the popular children’s building bricks, the developers said Tuesday. Groundwork for the hotel in southern Johor state — the world’s fourth Legoland hotel — began last month, developer Merlin Entertainments Groups and LL Themed Hotel said in a statement. The hotel will be constructed out of more conventional building…
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NYC & Company today announced that New York City has set a new goal to generate $70 billion in economic impact from travel and tourism by 2015. Building on a new visitation goal to attract 55 million visitors in this same time period, NYC & Company continues to expand its efforts with particular focus on attracting international visitors, who account for 50 percent of direct tourism…
The Dilmun Lounge at Bahrain International Airport is today celebrating winning the Best Refreshments award in the prestigious Priority Pass Lounge of the Year awards, 2012. The honour was decided by the members of Priority Pass, the world’s largest independent airport lounge access programme. Jonathan French, head of brand, Priority Pass, says: “To be voted as having the best refreshments in the world is a…
Lily Pond Spa, one of the UAE’s premier spa brands, has cemented the reputation of JBR as a cosmopolitan destination for recreation and entertainment, by opening a new spa at Rimal. The new spa will open its doors starting Sunday, April 29th, and will cater to tourists, locals and residents alike. This further confirms Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations for wellness tourism, with some of…
As a part of British Airways’ investment of over £5 billion for customers, the airline’s Lounge refresh in Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 1 is now complete. The refurbishment allows premium customers and eligible Executive Club members to relax in even more comfort before their flight. The refreshed Lounge has a modern yet comfortable feel which is complemented by ambient lighting, providing customers…
Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Qatar Airways will showcase its new Boeing 787 seats with their Middle East debut at the region’s largest travel trade fair taking place in Dubai next week. Following the global unveiling of the airline’s 787 Dreamliner seats in Berlin last month, they will again come under the spotlight at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), a four-day event which attracts the crème de la crème of the…
Dubai, 24 April, 2012: No, this is not the Dubai Creek. It is a picture of the Millennium Dome on the banks of the Thames River in London. The image was taken by DubaiSat-1, the first satellite built by Emirati engineers of the Dubai-based Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology (EIAST). DubaiSat-1 was used to highlight London, which will host the Olympics from July 27 to August 12 2012. "The…
Dubai, UAE, April 2012: flydubai, Dubai's innovative low-cost airline, has inaugurated services to its latest destination Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. flydubai's inaugural flight, FZ091, departed Dubai Terminal 2 at 0700hrs this morning (22 April), landing at El Rahaba Airport at 0840hrs local time. Representing its entry into Yemen, the new…
DUBAI, UAE - April 2012 : Emirates customers travelling to the United States will soon enjoy seamless connections to a dozen U.S. cities, after the airline announced the start of a one-way codeshare with JetBlue. The codeshare will further strengthen the relationship between Emirates and JetBlue. The two airlines have been interline partners since 2010, enabling customers to enjoy the convenience of a single…
Vienna, AUSTRIA – Qatar Airways has been honoured with two major accolades at the annual Skytrax 2012 World Airport Awards held in Vienna. For the second year running, Qatar Airways’ Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport (DIA) has been named World’s Best Premium Service Airport, recognised for its superior Five Star service and excellent customer care. Qatar Airways-owned Oryx Rotana, a…
The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi is the only hotel in the GCC to be recognized as one of the 60 best new openings around the world for 2012, by world-renowned travel publication Condé Nast Traveller. As the single regional recipient of the Hot List accolade, despite a flurry of new hotels opening in the Middle East, the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi is glowingly described: “The blue-green, wave-shaped shaft of…
Bahrain Air, the second national carrier in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has received the official approvals to resume Thiruvananthapuram operations. Capt. Ebrahim Abdulla ALHAMER, Managing Director Bahrain Air, has expressed his gratitude to Indian authorities by saying “We would like to extend our heartiest gratitude to all the officials from Bahrain and India who were involved with their honest efforts for…
Oman’s Ministry of Tourism has confirmed its participation at the 3rd Al Rais Holidays Travel Show at the Dubai Mall’s Fashion Atrium from tomorrow (April 19, 2012) until April 21, 2012. To be held under the theme ‘Explore and Experience,’ the show presents the world’s leading destinations to travelers, holiday planners, families, groups and individuals under one roof. The show is expected to attract attention…
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced its enhanced carbon offset program in celebration of Earth Day, providing customers the opportunity to calculate and offset the carbon footprint associated with their air travel and cargo shipments. While United and Continental each had a similar initiative, this new program focuses on offset projects that go beyond climate change and provide social…
A museum in Italy is burning artworks from around the world to protest harsh austerity cuts by the Italian government. Head of the Casoria Contemporary Art Museum in Naples Antonio Manfredi started burning paintings on Tuesday and does not intend to stop destroying art unless the government reverses its decision, the BBC reports. The first piece of art to be torched was a painting by French artist Severine…
The world’s tallest Atlas, the 6 ft-tall Earth Platinum from Australian publisher Millennium House has gone on sale for a mere $100,000 per copy. The publisher said that the last book even close in size to his 128-page volume was the Klencke Atlas, produced in 1660 as a gift for Charles II of England. “But that was about one foot smaller than this,” Millennium House founder Gordon Cheers, proudly told AFP.…
Bentley Motors has announced a global partnership with St Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Bentley Continental Flying Spur models have been chosen as the house fleet for a new generation of luxury travellers at St. Regis hotels and resorts around the world. The brands will also team to offer coordinated driving programs from St. Regis or Luxury…
Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar has been recognized as the ‘Best Specialized Resort’ 2011 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the Saudi Excellence in Tourism Awards. The accolade was received by Mr. Turki Al Mohaisen, Managing Director, Eastern Rehab Company for Tourism Investment, and Mr. Hiren Prabhakar, Resort Manager, at a glittering ceremony held recently in Riyadh. Nearly 100,000 votes were…
Concorde Fujairah, an elegant five-star hotel situated in the picturesque city of Fujairah, will highlight the property’s key facilities and services at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism event, running from 30th April to 3rd May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. A team of special delegates of the hotel will meet with existing and…
The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has announced its participation at the London Book Fair in its 41st edition. The three-day exhibition, which started on Monday April 16, 2012, is hosting over 400 seminars and events, besides 1,500 international exhibitors. The Authority’s participation at the London Book Fair is aimed at networking with the global audience and boost interaction of the UAE’s cultural…
Celebrating the launch of a unique landmark year in tourism for Northern Ireland, Tourism Ireland held a successful VIP event in Dubai on April 16th; Ministers from Northern Ireland in attendance included First Minister of Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon. Peter Robinson, MLA; deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA and Arlene Foster, MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. The Ministers are…
