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 United States has issued a global travel alert asking US citizens around the world to restrict their travels on September 11 fearing a repeat attack on the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks in the US. US citizens who are currently traveling abroad have been asked to register themselves with the nearest US Embassyor Consulate or enroll online in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP)…
Ramadan 2011 ends today, the Eid moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia and the first of Shawwal is tomorrow , Tuesday August 30th 2011. The moon sighting debate is finally over! Irhal.com wishes its readers Eid Mubarak!
Almost a decade after opening its first designer hotel in Australia, Palazzo Versace is now adding a luxury property in Dubai to its portfolio. Nestled in the heart of Dubai's Culture Village, the 5.5 hectare resort is expected to open in early 2012. Next year will also mark the 15th death anniversary of late Italian designer Gianni Versace. With an estimated budget of about AED 2.3 billion to build the…
Muscat City Centre, the leading shopping and lifestyle destination in Oman, has created a stir across the digital world by breaking records as the fastest growing Facebook page in the Sultanate. Within one month, fan activity on the Muscat City Centre Facebook page increased by 884%, a milestone acheivement positioning the shopping centre as a new leading presence in the social media arena. For the month of…
Aiming to expand the premier V. Five brand in the Middle East V. Five Continents Hospitality Group is proud to announce its successful negotiations with the Ministry of Tourism in Syria. The delegation of Five Continents Group and the Minister of Tourism, H. E. Lamia Assi agreed to implement precise standards for tourism and hotel investments in the country to meet the increasing tourism demands. H. E. Lamia…
Starting on the first day of Eid Al Fitr for four days, Sharjah City Centre and Ajman City Centre will be filled with fun, festive cheer with all day entertainment to the delight of children, families and all visitors. Highlights include clowns, balloon benders, special dance shows, roaming mascots and musicians and complimentary coffee at mall entrances. Sharjah City Centre's line up of events feature…
CHICAGO, Aug. 28, 2011 – United Airlines and Continental Airlines are assessing the impact of Hurricane Irene at its New York airports and support facilities, including its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. New York airports remain closed and United and Continental suspended all flights to these airports through Sunday. The airlines…
New York city airports have been shut down. The subway has been closed and New Yorkers are boarding shops and hoarding food in preparation of Hurricane Irene. On Saturday, more than 4 inches of rain was recorded in Central Park and up to 15 inches of rain and strong winds are expected over the next two days. More than 10,000 flights to and from New York have been canceled. Shops are closed and people are…
The last ten days of Ramadan have started and hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have reached Islam's two holiest cities - Makkah and Madinah - to be able to join the evening prayers and benefit from the "Night of Power." The first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed during Ramadan and one of the last ten nights of Ramadan is supposed to be the Night of Power which the Quran says is…
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that travel and tourism will contribute USD 1.93 billion to Oman’s total GDP this year, driven by strong tourist arrivals to the Sultanate. The nation’s flagship carrier Oman Air reports a surge in tourism arrivals via its Q1 2011 flights. Passenger figures for the period surpassed those of 2008, 2009 and 2010, with March 2011 witnessing 35,000 arrivals…
Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways today announced plans to extend its presence in the People’s Republic of China with the launch of flights to a fifth gateway – the western city of Chongqing from November 28. Operating three-times-a-week, the non-stop service from the airline’s hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, will take the carrier’s capacity to China up to 28 flights a week. The airline…
After five days of riots which involved over 1,000 arrests, hundreds of injuries and one death, things appear to be calming down in London. The impact this has had on tourism, according to UK-based European Tour Operators Association, is 'negligible.' The ETOA claims that there have been 330 cancellations at hotels across London for the forthcoming week. On the basis that these people would have stayed two…
The Bali Kite Festival will return to Padang Galak field on Sanur Beach July 28-31, 2011. The 33rd "flying" of the kites is expected to attract thousands of local and foreign visitors as well as participants at the festival which runs each day of the festival from 9 am until 5 pm. Kites can enter in a variety of categories, but all kite-flying teams required to wear traditional Balinese draft. Click here…
Paris, FRANCE – Qatar Airways, Official Airline of the Tour de France, proudly showcased its world class hospitality to the sporting elite on the final day of the world famous cycle race. Many of the world’s leading cyclists were onboard a Qatar Airways special charter flight from Grenoble in south east France to Paris before they headed for the last stage of the prestigious race to the Champs Elysees in the…
Perched high above the five-star hotels in the Swiss resort of Davos, an igloo hotel offers the chance to chill out and enjoy life as an Eskimo might. Set in the midst of the groomed, snow-clad ski slopes 2,600 metres up, the cluster of igloos takes a few liberties with the genuine polar experience. Iglu-Dorf is built out of packed snow, but the network of 15 igloos linked by tunnels looks more like a cross…
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 21st 2011 – As shoppers flock to celebrate the season’s Summer Surprises, visitors can catch something a bit different this July with airborne acrobatics at iFLY Dubai at Playnation, Mirdif City Centre. Every Thursday and Friday, passers-by can catch the awe-inspiring tricks and maneuvers performed by iFLY's skilled instructors as they take to the skies in ten metre-high wind…
For a limited time until 31st July, 2011 Deira City Centre will play host to a rare behind-the-scenes photo display chronicling the journey of the of the Harry Potter film series. This rare display is located on Level 2, near the exit to Dubai Metro and is open to the public everyday during mall opening hours until July 31.
For a limited time until 31st July, 2011 Deira City Centre will play host to a rare behind-the-scenes photo display chronicling the journey of the of the Harry Potter film series. This rare display is located on Level 2, near the exit to Dubai Metro and is open to the public everyday during mall opening hours until July 31.
Medina, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA – Qatar Airways, newly crowned Airline of the Year 2011, has reaffirmed its commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the launch of a fourth destination in the country – four-flights-a-week to the holy city of Medina. The new route, non-stop from Doha, takes Qatar Airways’ capacity to Saudi Arabia up to 60 services a week, representing a significant increase in frequency…
Ernest Hemingway stayed here while Tennessee Wiliams completed his play "A Street Car Named Desire" in this hotel. If you are heading to Florida for the summer, make sure you check into the Crowne Plaza Key West La Concha. This seven storied hotel was built in the 1920s and exudes vintage charm but has all the amenities you would expect from a modern hotel including wifi internet and a 42" flat screen TV in…
Traveling to Brunei soon and have no idea about what to expect when it comes to food and other culinary delights? Fret not – there are tons of delicious food available in the charming nation of Brunei Darussalam, and one of the best local fare has got to be the ambuyat. Touted as the most commonly eaten food in Brunei, the ambuyat is typically a semi-transparent chewy, gooey food that is, more often than…
The world’s most famous milkshake bar, ‘Millions of Milkshakes’ will introduce US reality TV stars Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner to the UAE to celebrate the grand opening of the first franchise outside of United States in The Dubai Mall this October. Kim and Kris are making a three-day visit to the UAE and they will create their signature shakes at the launch on the evening…
Paris, France, 17th July 2011: Accor is announcing the launch of Earth Guest Research, a platform for sharing knowledge on social and environmental issues relating to the hotel industry. The platform aims to contribute to progress in the tourism industry by making sustainable development surveys and methodologies available to all industry operators, as well as to the general public. To identify effective…
From 01 July 2011 it is now easier for GCC nationals to travel to Ireland. The Irish government has chosen GCC nationals to participate in Ireland's new visa-waiver programme. Under the terms of the programme, GCC nationals who visit the UK can now travel to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain a visa prior to travel. Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Niall Holohan ,…
