Many expatriates and Saudis are using the Eid Al-Adha holidays to head for their favorite holiday destinations locally and abroad.

Some have opted for Dubai and Egypt, and others for Malaysia.

“Based on our past experience, Malaysia is less crowded, probably because of the distance for travelers from this region or from the West,” Abu Ali, a Saudi junior executive at a local company, told Arab News before he left with his family a few days ago.

Abu Ali and his wife went to Malaysia last year without their three young children. “This time they'll be with us, to share the joy of being away from home for a while. We'll be able to bond as a family. Besides, travelling is educational, we want them to see what they read about in books.” Abu Omran, a Jordanian who works for a local company, decided to go home this year with his family. He would normally stay in the Kingdom and head out to places such as Abha.

“This time we'll spend the Eid holidays in Jordan. We'll reunite with relatives we've not seen for a long time and who left Palestine with us,” he said.

Ahmed Hasawin, an Egyptian working for a local pharmaceutical company, is heading to his hometown of Alexandria with his family.

“Alexandria is a tourist destination. It will be a lot of fun visiting it again after having worked in the Kingdom for quite a long time. We will also be able to bond with my parents and other relatives,” he said.

Some Riyadh residents are heading to local destinations developed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).

“We are Saudis but we've not visited local tourist attractions. We'll go to Abha to see the breathtaking scenery and try the cable car,” said Omar Saleh Al-Amoudi, a businessman.

He said it was normal for Saudis to travel locally during the Eid holidays. “Saudis living in Hail or Qassim, for instance, travel to Riyadh, Dammam and other cities,” he said.

Some expatriates plan to spend a day or two driving east toward Al-Khobar, Dammam or Manama in Bahrain by crossing the King Fahd Causeway.

“Right now, we're at home but if the kids want to leave the city, we'll drive in a convoy with other Filipino families to the Eastern Province,” said Mike Pacheco, an engineer.