Favourite destinations for holiday seekers

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Favourite destinations for holiday seekers

Turkey, which is just a 30-minute flight from the UAE, continues to be a favourite destination for holiday seekers especially during Eid Al Adha, with Sri Lanka and Oman following suit. And, of course, the Eastern Emirates is a haven for Emiratis and expatriates alike, seeking short-distance 
destination.

By Lily B Libo-on

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Published: Fri 26 Oct 2012, 8:38 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 1:35 PM

Travellers say many flights are available for a Turkey trip. Emirati Khalid Al Shamsi said his family are spending a week in Turkey, which to him is the best choice for Eid’s long holiday this year.

However, Emirati Khalid Al Falasi and family prefer Qatar. “My wife has relatives in Qatar so we have decided to spend our Eid there with our son, Manaa, 4, and our daughter, Tufla, 2.

Kulwant Singh, managing partner of Lama Desert Tours and Cruises, told Khaleej Times that while Turkey, Sri Lanka and Oman top the outgoing destinations, GCC, India and China are the countries sending more inbound tourists to Dubai this Eid. “Outbound tourists spend an average of four nights and register an increase of 12 to 13 per cent, while inbound, between 14 and 15 per cent.”

He said the increase in both inbound and outbound travellers can be attributed to the long wait by expatriates and local families for the Eid break. For those who prefer to spend their Eid in UAE, Al Ain, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain have topped the list of favourite destinations as many look forward to the greenery, quietness and the beaches.

Filipino Ricardo Paraiso said all Filpino workers of Arab Tech, where he is working, are spending their Eid holiday in the beach to bond, dine, swim and relax from the humdrum of work.

Bharathi K, Indian and a resident of Sharjah, has plans to join his brother and other friends on a trip to Fujairah and Dibba where they can see the wide expanse of the ocean. The weather is especially good at this time of the year, he said. Al Ain is the destination for Emirati Abdulrahman Essa and wife Zaenab. “Al Ain is a nice place where there are hot springs, excellent scenery and the biggest zoo in the UAE. I love to take my son Numan, 2, there during my off days on Eid,” he said.

Antonio Pirote, who has been working in Dubai for the past seven years is spending the holiday with members of the Christian Community Fellowship (CCF) in Ras Al Khaimah where they can commune with nature, bond with each and go sightseeing.

Jon Llarena, a Filipino architect, is with some 50 members of St Michael’s Church in Umm Al Quwain on Eid for training and team building exercises.

lily@khaleejtimes.com


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