RIYADH: With government offices and schools in Riyadh breaking up for the Eid Al-Adha holiday on Wednesday, people are leaving the capital for both domestic and international destinations.
Flights to Dubai and Cairo are already full, said a leading travel agent in Riyadh, adding that airlines are introducing additional flights in the coming days to cope with the rush.
Saudi Arabian Airlines, which currently operates three flights to Dubai, is to introduce two to three more flights depending on demand, said the travel agent, adding that Egypt Airlines is also expected to add two more flights this week keeping in view the rush.
Last year, Saudis and expatriates mostly went to Cairo, Dubai and Beirut. Budget conscious tourists have prioritized their destinations with the first two tourist capitals.
Ali Al-Humoud, a Saudi schoolteacher, said most Saudis are keen to celebrate the holidays at home with their families and leave Riyadh for destinations that allow them to easily return home for Eid which is on Nov. 27.
“They are very keen on carrying out the rituals such as sacrificing animals during the first three days of the festival,” he added.
Al-Humoud said most Saudis prefer to travel to domestic destinations such as Dammam, Thumamah and Rawdat Al-Khuraim, which are located in the Riyadh region.
Another travel agent Mohamed said that among domestic destinations, flights to Jeddah and Abha are always full.
An employee at Unique Choice, a Middle East-based tour operator, said people are flocking to Dubai since hotel rates are 40 percent cheaper than previous years. He added that people could easily travel to Dubai with their families by road.
“The up-market clientele has already made their reservations in hotels in Malaysia, Maldives and Sri Lanka,” he added.
South Asian destinations such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan are overbooked due to expatriates wishing to spend the holidays with their families. “There is an increased number of Asian holidaymakers leaving the Kingdom this year because of low airfares,” said SriLankan Airlines Manager Indunil Wijekone.
He added that flights to Colombo have been running full since Wednesday. Passengers include Sri Lankans and people of other nationalities, including Saudis.
Due to the global financial crisis, most airlines have not raised airfare during this peak season.
