JEDDAH, 9 December — Tourist traffic during this year’s Eid Al-Fitr holidays is not heading West.
The majority of the bookings are for destinations in the Gulf, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East.
There is hardly any leisure traffic booked for Europe or America, according to travel agencies and tour operators. Whatever traffic to Western destinations is from the corporate sector and that only when business executives absolutely must travel.
As a result, some of the Western carriers are offering special round-trip fares to attract the holiday-makers.
Beirut has now emerged as a favorite destination for vacationers, followed by Egypt and certain other Gulf and Middle Eastern destinations, Mohamed A. Alfadl, who heads the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s tourism committee and JCCI board member, told Arab News.
“The emerging situation augurs well for the Kingdom as many families may choose to take their vacations here. Jeddah has remained one of the most popular destinations, as it has varied attractions and is close to the two holy cities,” Alfadl said.
“Beirut has emerged as the incentive market this season, followed by the Nile Cruise, Dubai, Syria, Jordan and Morocco,” Kanoo Holidays’ Western Province Manager Syed Mahin said, adding: “Incentive trips are mostly organized by big corporate entities to thank their dealers.”
Air-India Western Province Manager S.M. Mazharullah said he had placed a request with the national carrier’s head office in Bombay to operate at least four extra flights for the Eid (Dec. 12 to 15).
“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to run at least one extra flight, and perhaps four, as the rush will be tremendous,” he said.
