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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Tourism Ireland, in association with Visit Britain and Visit Scotland, successfully hosted the first of three UAE Travel & Trade workshops organised for Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Kuwait. In working together and investing in the workshops, Tourism Ireland, Visit Britain and Visit Scotland are demonstrating their commitment to supporting the travel trade in the UAE and reflecting the value of the industry to tourism in…
Azerbaijan is planning to build the world’s tallest building – taller than both the Burj Khalifa and the upcoming Kingdom Tower to be built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Azerbaijan Tower, which is set to break ground in 2015, will rise more than a kilometer in height, or 3,444 feet, upon its completion in 2018 or 2019, The Azerbaijan Tower is being built on a series of artificial islands, called the Khazar…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Masters champion Paul Lawrie has given one lucky traveller flying through Doha International Airport a New Year cheer after picking him as the winner of a luxury car in Qatar Duty Free’s popular raffle draw. The Scotsman took time out of his celebrations after victory in the premier golf tournament in Doha to perform the draw at Qatar Airways’ exclusive Premium Terminal at Doha…
Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator and market leader in Brazil, opens its 150th hotel in Brazil with the Novotel Porto Alegre Aeroporto and celebrates 34 years of presence in this country. Novotel Porto Alegre Aeroporto: first franchise Novotel in Brazil Accor opens the 11th hotel of its midscale brand Novotel in Brazil with its historical local partner, Atrio Hotéis, specialized in the development…
NasJet-the largest private jet company in the Midde East takes delivery of another managed aircraft, making the company the leading Gulfstream operator in the region. “This also uniquely positionsNasJet as one of the top 20 operators in the world, with 75 aircraft under management”, stated Sulaiman Al-Hamdan Group CEO. The arrival of the new aircraft reflects the need for private jets in the Middle East is…
Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi’s most iconic address, is pleased to announce the introduction of Seafood Night at Origins. Idyllically located overlooking the picturesque Yas Marina and the Yas Marina Racing Circuit, Origins offers guests stunning views and sumptuous fresh seafood from a wide array of live cooking stations and exotic dishes. Sip on an ice cold glass of bubbly or cocktails and indulge in the oceans…
InterContinental-owned boutique chain Hotel Indigo has opened its first property in continental Europe. The Hotel Indigo Berlin opened its doors February 3, marking the brand’s first entry into Europe outside of the United Kingdom. Designed with Hotel Indigo’s trademark ’boutique’ feel, the property contains 81 rooms, which are finished in light wood and white but have been individualized with color to give…
Westin is to roll out a global revamp of its health and fitness centers around the world, it confirmed January 31. The luxury hotel brand will make over gyms and fitness centers at all of its 186 properties this year, it said, as part of an attempt to tackle upscale competitors such as Crowne Plaza. Westin will become the first hotel chain to use ActiViva lighting, fluorescent tube designed by lighting…
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: flydubai, Dubai’s pioneering low cost airline, has launched its enhanced in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, offering more movies, TV programmes and audio than any other carrier in its class. Since its launch in November 2010, the ‘Fiber-To-The-Screen®’ (‘FTTS®’) system from Lumexis has broken new ground in IFE thanks to the fibre-optic technology enabling movies to be shown in…
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Travel Association today commended the implementation of a final rule to make the Global Entry Program permanent. A program within the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Global Entry allows for expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. "Expanding and making the Global Entry Program permanent is…
Emirates is driving forward its operations in Europe by announcing a third daily flight to Milan from 1st June, taking to 49 the number of weekly flights offered to Italy. EK 101 will leave Dubai at 0340hrs and arrive in Milan Malpensa at 0825hrs, ready for business in the city considered the engine room of Italy's economy and home to the nation's stock exchange. The return flight, EK 102, departs Milan at…
Air Canada has announced that it plans to increase the number of daily services from London Heathrow to its Toronto hub from four to five non-stop flights each day, commencing 2 June 2012. In addition to five flights per day from London Heathrow to Toronto Pearson International Airport, Air Canada will offer daily non-stop services from the UK to seven other major Canadian cities including Montréal, Calgary,…
Now Europe and North America aren't the only continents to experience extreme winter conditions; parts of North Africa have been greatly affected by heavy snowfall too. In Algeria, snow has fallen in 14 provinces, forcing people to stay indoors and bringing traffic to a standstill. In parts of the coastal region, where few people have heating in their homes, bodyeratures have fallen to 3 degrees Celsius.…
Tbilisi, GEORGIA – Qatar Airways has been in talks with the government of Georgia on ways to help boost tourism to the South East European country. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker met with Georgian Prime Minister Nikoloz Gilauri while in Tbilisi last week for the launch of the airline’s scheduled flights to the city. Mr. Al Baker said the government of Georgia’s emerging tourism…
Global Hotel Industry to Reach $847.8 billion by 2015 Property renovation and luxury repositioning increasing as global economy improves With the industry forecasted to have a value of $847.8 billion by 2015 according to recent industry reports by Hotels & Motels: Global Industry Almanac, emerging markets such as the Middle East are being highlighted as significant regions driving growth. In addition to…
BALI, Indonesia, February 6, 2012 – Conrad Bali was voted one of the Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Indonesia by millions of TripAdvisor users in the recent Travelers’ Choice Awards 2012. Ranked fourth, the award further strengthens the iconic resort’s positioning as a premium destination on the island. “Conrad Bali has always enjoyed a strong reputation for being the beachfront resort to come to for a relaxing…
Here's the ad: Dubai – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia had hoped to place a full-page ad highlighting the animal suffering associated with live-sheep imports in Open Skies, the in-flight magazine of the airline Emirates, but the airline has grounded the idea. The ad shows sheep crammed together aboard a ship and reads, "And You Thought Economy Class Was Cramped!", in both…
International hotel chain Starwood has unveiled a major revamp of its Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program, targeting elite travelers with a host of new benefits. The chain, which operates Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le Meridien and St Regis, says that it’s responding to the global uptick in travel to target the ‘sophisticated’ market, which it believes has become ‘jaded’ about traditional…
From 6th February 2012 until 18th March 2012, Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, is putting 60 flight tickets to 30 incredible destinations up for auction, giving you the chance to: Get 2 return flights at below cost price Travel in comfort and style on Etihad Ariways, recently named the World’s Leading Airline for the 3rd consecutive year Win the grand cash prize of half…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways’ 2012 expansion programme is underway after the carrier launched scheduled daily flights to Tbilisi, Georgia via Baku, Azerbaijan on February 1. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker led a high-profile delegation on the Baku and Tbilisi inaugural flight QR976, including His Excellency Eldar Salimov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the State of Qatar; Her Excellency…
From now until 09 April 2012, Rocco Forte’s Brown's Hotel is partnering with the Royal Academy of Arts on the first major exhibition in the UK to showcase David Hockney’s landscape work. Vivid paintings inspired by Yorkshire landscape, many large in scale and created specifically for the exhibition, will be shown alongside related drawings and films. Located in the heart of Mayfair, just moments away from the…
flydubai, Dubai's pioneering low-cost airline, has chalked up its seventh destination in Saudi Arabia, with the start of its three-weekly flights to Taif in the Makkah Province. The inaugural flight, FZ875, departed Dubai Terminal 2 at 1925hrs yesterday (1 February), landing at Taif Regional Airport at 2130hrs local time. The return flight, FZ876, departed at 2230hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0220hrs today (2…
Appetites are growing for the Al Faisaliah Globe Summit, the most anticipated annual gastronomic event in the Kingdom, as final preparations begin to bring four world renowned chefs and their respective signature ingredients to Riyadh's leading luxury hotel. The Al Faisaliah Globe Summit will take place from the 13th to 17th February 2012 in three premium venues located within the five-star Al Faisaliah…
The U.S. Travel Association has announced its endorsement of new legislation to help expand the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act, introduced by Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), enhances security measures while extending the VWP framework to welcome additional countries. "Expanding…
