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 following is a statement from Qantas CEO Alan Joyce in relation to the Fair Work Australia decision: "This decision provides certainty for Qantas passengers. "We will be getting our aircraft back up in the air as soon as we possibly can. It could be as early as Monday afternoon on a limited schedule with the approval of the regulator. "I apologise to all Qantas passengers that have been…
Australian airline Qantas Airways has grounded all its domestic and international flights in response to a worsening labor strike over pay and conditions, in a move that will see flights suspended until Sunday at the earliest. Unions representing engineers, baggage handlers and pilots have engaged in protracted industrial action over the Australian flag carrier's plan to establish new Asia-based carriers to…
If you're making Eid plans to travel to Thailand, we suggest you take a rain check (no pun intended.) Rising floodwaters reached Bangkok’s domestic Don Muang airport on Tuesday, forcing airport closure and airlines to suspended their operations in the city. According to the BBC, the Bangkok floods 'could get worse.' Governments from around the world, including the UAE, are issuing travel warnings to…
Sixty of the world's greatest golfers go head-to-head for a share of the European Tour's richest prize, as the Race to Dubai culminates at Jumeirah Golf Estates' spectacular Earth course. You can win VIP tickets to Dubai World Championship by liking their Facebook page.
World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is delighted to announce National Geographic as sponsor of this year's UNWTO & WTM Ministers' Summit. This is the fifth year the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and WTM will host the Ministers' Summit, which this year will bring together around 200 tourism ministers, aides and industry experts to share their extensive…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways has announced plans to launch scheduled flights to Libya’s second largest city of Benghazi on November 1. Operating four-times-a-week non-stop from Doha, the newest route will take the number of destination launches by the airline to 15 during 2011. As part of the airline’s aggressive route expansion strategy to fly to diverse cities, Benghazi is yet another destination which…
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ercis, Turkey at 1:41pm local time on Sunday, leaving 217 people dead and 350 injured. Roughly 20 aftershocks rattled the city in eastern Turkey in one of the nation's poorest areas. The largest had a magnitude of 6.0. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters the death toll is likely to climb, as rescue teams work through the night to save people…
Organisers of The Hotel Show 2012, the Middle East’s most important supply, fit-out and service exhibition for the hospitality market, have experienced a surge in interest from international and regional companies wanting to tap the anticipated growth in the GCC hospitality sector. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 15-17th May 2012, The Hotel Show is seen as the gateway through which to reach the…
Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, the first hotel in the Middle East from Europe’s leading luxury hotel brand Rocco Forte Hotels, is now open for bookings. The visually striking wave-shaped glass building, set to become a new urban landmark, will open its doors on 7th November 2011. The hotel has 281 bedrooms as well as four restaurants, two bars, a large spa, stunning ballroom and meeting rooms.
Swiss International Air Lines is adjusting its range of service to comply with demand during the 2011/2012 winter timetable period. The reduction of selected frequencies and withdrawal of service to some destinations is being offset by an increase in frequencies on other routes. As of February 2012 SWISSwill introduce a new Zurich-Beijing and a new Geneva-Nice service. Services from Zurich and Geneva to London,…
October 2011 - Cristal Hotels and Resorts is proud to announce the opening of its exciting new hotel, Cristal Salam Hotel, Abu Dhabi in the 3rd quarter of 2011. Aiming to be the premier business and leisure hotel operator in the MENA region with the opening of the new property Cristal Hotels and Resorts further illustrates the brand’s steady strategic growth across the region, as well as the company’s strong…
World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, has once again lined up some of the hotel sector's most influential executives for its WTM 2011 Hotels Programme. This year's Hotels Programme, sponsored by Bloomberg, includes speakers from some of the best-known and most innovative property groups in the world, including Rezidor, Hilton Worldwide and Corinthia. The 2011 programme,…
The award-winning Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa on the Gold Coast has reached a major milestone with the completion of its extensive $20 million refurbishment at an event attended by some of Queensland's Government, tourism and business leaders. The resort was officially re-launched by the Minister for Tourism Jan Jarratt, Marriott International's Asia Pacific President and Managing Director,…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways will once again be the Official Airline of Qatar’s premier film event, the third annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF). The highly anticipated five-day festival, organised by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), starts on October 25, and promises to provide yet another enriching and entertaining experience for film fans from the Middle East and around the world. A myriad of events…
Condé Nast Traveler has named the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong as the best hotel in the world in its annual Readers’ Choice survey. The publication, announcing the results ahead of the November issue, revealed the Shanghai hotel’s victory ahead of Peninsula House in the Dominican Republic, which won second place, October 11. The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh won third place, while the Safari Lodges at…
International tourist arrivals are forecast to reach 1.8 billion by 2030 according to the newly released UNWTO long-term forecast, Tourism Towards 2030. The report, presented on the occasion of the 19th session of the UNWTO General Assembly, confirms that international tourism will continue to grow in a sustained manner in the next two decades (8-14 October 2011, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea). International…
Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai has won two prestigious awards at the annual Starwood Roundtable business review held in Costa Navarino, Greece. In the presence of Starwood executives and senior management, the Grosvenor House Dubai team was awarded in the 2010 EAME Division Middle East category for Hotel of the Year and the Build Great Brands for the hotel's excellent Quality & Brand…
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Ayman Saber El Ghayesh, Head Butler at Riyadh's leading ultra-luxury hotel, Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel, has been appointed as the first qualified trainer in the Middle East for The Guild of Professional English Butlers. Following an intensive training programme conducted by Mr. Robert Watson, President of The Guild Professional English Butlers, El Ghayesh has become the first…
InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City will glow the perfect shade of pink during October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2011. As part of The Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign's Global Landmark Illuminations Initiative, driven by Estée Lauder and Philips, the hotels will be illuminated pink as symbols of hope and empowerment and to mark the start of this important awareness…
Sweden’s CF Møller Architects has just signed off on the new and spectacular Skipark 360°- set to be the largest indoor ski resort in the world. The winter park will house the only indoor ski slope to meet the requirements for hosting the World Cup, measuring 700 meters long and with a drop of 160 meters. At a height of approx. 135 m, it will be one of Sweden’s largest buildings, and will become a landmark…
Urban Tails Dubai has become the world’s first seven-star resort for pets when it opened doors this summer. Being branded as the ultimate luxury pet destination, this hotel has been custom built for four legged friends. They offer suites for 70 dogs and 40 cats and promises to take perfect care of them while their owners are away. It has plasma TVs in all of the dog suites to ensure they don’t get…
Meeting with Japan´s Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, has called for the continued international support of the country’s tourism sector (4-6 October 2011, Japan). “In the process of revitalizing Japan, tourism plays an important and indispensible role,” said the Japanese Prime Minister during his meeting with Mr Rifai. Joined by David Scowsill, President and CEO…
Air Canada has been named ‘Best North American Airline’ by readers of Business Traveller magazine in its annual readership survey. “Air Canada is delighted to have earned this recognition from readers of Business Traveller magazine, who are experienced and knowledgeable travellers,” said Robert Atkinson, Air Canada General Manager - Sales, UK, Ireland and Northern Europe. “Our customers have shown their…
Disney has taken its first leap into the hotel industry proper with the opening of a standalone resort and spa in Hawaii. Aulani, which opened this week in Ko Olina close to the Marriott Ko Olina, is the entertainment behemoth’s first hotel outside of its famous theme parks and is designed as an alternative family vacation experience. On the coast of Oahu island, the resort and spa stretches across 21 acres…
