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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Rising from an ancient North African capital, an oasis worlds away and yet easily accessed from major European gateways is now welcoming sun seekers, romantics, adventurers, spa aficionados, history buffs, gourmands, intrepid shoppers and fun-loving families. Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech is a 40-acre (16 hectare) walled resort within Morocco’s most exciting city, with 141 rooms and suites, three dining options…
Exhibitors from around the globe will gather to showcase a range of innovative flooring solutions at the 6th edition of the region’s annual showpiece event, dedicated to the floor covering industry DOMOTEX Middle East, to be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 12th to 14th September 2011. The show exhibitors from all corners of the globe as far reaching as Chile, South…
Accor, one of the leading hotel operators in the region, is expanding its Mercure brand with the rebranding of the Novotel Abu Dhabi City Centre to Mercure Abu Dhabi City Centre as from 1st of June 2011. Christophe Landais, Managing Director, Accor Middle East commented “The Mercure Abu Dhabi City Centre is the latest addition to Accor’s current network of 18 Mercure properties in the Middle East and offers a…
Cristal Hotels and Resorts participated at KOFTA, the largest travel and tourism fair in Korea, which took place at COEX Conference and Exhibition Center in Seoul in June 2011. This was the first time the luxurious hotel Group has attended the prestigious exhibition under the auspices of ADTA (Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority) promoting its existing and forthcoming properties. During the exhibition Cristal Hotels…
The St. Regis New York has unveiled a one-of-a-kind Tiffany Suite on its 14th floor – a marriage of the classic Tiffany look with the glamour of the St. Regis. The Tiffany Suite consists of an entryway foyer, one bedroom, two full baths, a large dining room and a living room complete with a fireplace and large windows overlooking Fifth Avenue up towards Central Park. The 1,700-square-foot suite features…
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has launched a new campaign, with the slogan “Cyprus in Your Heart,” which is designed to put Cyprus on the international tourism map in 2011. Backed by a budget of 19 million Euro (AED 99 million), CTO sees great potential to increase tourist arrivals in 2011. According to Alecos Orountiotis, CTO chairman, the campaign will promote Cyprus’ history and culture,…
Dubai-UAE: 22 June, 2011 – Oasis Centre, Dubai’s friendliest mall, today announced a colourful calendar of events and a plethora of shopping incentives and offers where shoppers can win up to seven BMWs, as well as AED100,000 worth of electronics and travel vouchers to celebrate DSS, the region’s most awaited summer entertainment and shopping fiesta. Summer shopping began early at Oasis Centre with the…
The President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has become the first Asian head of state to join the ongoing World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign. “Today, tourism plays a significant role not only in the preservation of cultural values, but also in increasing people’s welfare,” said President Yudhoyono. “Tourism has provided job…
Al Ghurair Centre, the pioneer shopping centre in the Middle East, is set to reinforce Dubai’s role as the shopping capital of the Middle East, through its participation as a Strategic Partner of the 14th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), one of the region’s most celebrated summer entertainment and shopping events. From June 22nd to August 31st 2011 visitors to Al Ghurair…
Paris, FRANCE – Qatar Airways today announced a further boost to its Boeing 777 fleet with a fresh order for six aircraft valued at US$1.7 billion at list prices. The announcement was made at a press conference on the opening day of the Paris Air Show being held at Le Bourget near the French capital. The agreement was signed by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker and Boeing Commercial…
Commencing on 12th June, Hakkasan celebrated its first birthday in the capital, in style and with the most glamorous of tastes appeasing Abu Dhabi’s guests’ palates throughout the week with their exclusive anniversary menu. The Michelin starred restaurant, served a unique anniversary set menu dinner available from 12th-16th June featuring XO Lobster shu mai, King crab and shimeji…
Sharjah 19th June 2011: Shoppers and chocolate-lovers are set to be delighted this summer at the Sahara Centre, the leading family and shopping destination in the UAE, as the Mall combines the perfect mix of retail promotions and indulgent sweet-treats to celebrate the Sharjah Summer Promotion. For fifteen days, starting on June 30th until July 14th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the promotion area, the…
Muscat Oman - On the 20th June, 2011, Oman’s community-lead mall: Muscat City Centre, will play host to a Turkish Navy band from 7pm onwards. The band itself will be on board one of the four frigates which are due to dock at the Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat on the 19th June. The band will be presenting some of Turkey’s most famous songs, in addition to numerous well-known, classic editions. As well as an…
The opening of Novotel Dammam Business Park comes hot on the heels of Accor’s recent signing of two new hotels in Jeddah and two hotels under construction in Riyadh and Yanbu. It is part of the group’s fast-paced development platform for Saudi Arabia. Located at the heart of the Dammam Business Park, an integrated business complex, close to the capital of the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, the hotel has direct…
From the beginning of May, Hamburg took the leading role in international air traffic. With its “Knuffingen Airport”, situated in Miniatur Wunderland, the European Green Capital 2011 showcased the world’s first CO2-free airport. Very soon, climate-neutral airplanes will arrive in and depart from the Hanseatic City, thereby living up to its title of European Green Capital. After six years of planning and…
Airbus unveils a futuristic concept for a transparent plane that may be an everyday air transport in 2050. Artistic impressions of what it is expected to look like are pictured below: The intelligent cabin membrane of the Airbus Concept Cabin can become transparent to give passengers open panoramic views. The cabin would feature morphing seats that could harvest passenger’s body heat to…
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties, is redefining the aesthetics and luxurious comfort of everyday living through its sky lobbies, specially designed public spaces that offer residents and visitors a relaxed lifestyle experience. Located on levels 43, 76 and 123 of Burj Khalifa, the sky lobbies are design marvels that provide residents a diverse array of leisure options.…
St. Pete/Clearwater, FL– St. Pete/Clearwater’s Fort De Soto Park was named America’s best family beach by the editors of Parents, the nation’s top selling parenting and family lifestyle magazine, with a paid circulation of more than 2 million readers and a total readership of 15 million. Following similar top rankings from Dr. Beach (2005) and TripAdvisor (2008 and 2009), the expansive county park…
SINGAPORE – Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker sparked off a tense debate about the structure of airline industry body IATA and its finances during a conference of airline bosses in Singapore this week. In a dramatic early session of IATA’s annual general meeting, the International Air Transport Association came under fire for appearing to be “run for the few, by the few” and lacking full…
Australia’s Gold Coast is well placed among world-wide destinations to ensure Gulf country holiday makers are well catered for, particularly with respect to religious requirements during the holy month of Ramadan. Gold Coast Tourism has done its utmost to embody a friendly and welcoming environment for Muslim Arabs, by embracing a Ramadan-friendly approach to marketing activities over the last couple of…
Ras Al Khaimah Hotels and Tourism Development Authority announces the Government signing an agreement with Rakeen Development yesterday to take over the first exclusive desert resort in the UAE, Banyan Tree Al Wadi. According to the contract Rakeen Development, that is one of the region's most dynamic property developers, focusing on the creation of eco-friendly and architecturally unique properties, will hand…
Omani racing talent, Ahmad Al Harthy, who is sponsored by Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has completed another outstanding weekend’s racing at the Oulton Park Island Circuit in Cheshire. Ahmad secured second place Pro-Am 1 finishes in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship on both Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June, bringing his superb tally of podium placings to six so far this…
Shiraz, IRAN – Qatar Airways has launched scheduled flights to the southern Iranian city of Shiraz, marking the first of three route start-ups this month. The airline yesterday began twice-weekly services from its Doha hub to Shahid Dastghaib International Airport in Shiraz. The carrier already serves Iran’s capital Tehran twice-daily with a further five-flights-a-week to the northern city of Mashad. The…
Dubai, UAE: Accor Middle East, one of the leading hospitality groups in the region, has been working to implement plans for the group’s human resources requirements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Accor worked closely and actively with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) – Dr Al-Weshail and his team - towards a nationalisation plan for Accor hotels in the Kingdom. A comprehensive…
