Muscat – With Eid al Adha approaching, many in Oman are planning for trips during the holidays expected during the end of this month.
While Thailand and Turkey remain popular choices, an increasing number of people are opting to explore Salalah within the country due to its mesmerising monsoons.
Others are drawn to the allure of hill resorts in Jabal Shams and Jabal Akhdar.
According to the global flight comparison marketplace Skyscanner, majority of the Omani travellers (66%) are planning trips lasting 1-2 weeks, with June 25 being the most preferred outbound date, followed closely by June 24.
Discussing the travel options, Sunil D’Souza, CEO of Travel Point, stated, “Due to the geopolitical situation in Russia and Ukraine, many people from Oman are choosing to travel to the Indian subcontinent or the Far East.”
Travel trends vary each year, he added. While middle-category travellers consider several factors, high-end travellers have different priorities.
“Popular destinations include India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey. This year, we have noticed increased interest in Nepal, particularly for trekking and honeymoons. The perennial favourites in Europe remain Geneva (Switzerland), Paris (France), and Rome (Italy), which have been consistent in demand during the recent years.”
High preference for Salalah – among those staying in Oman – is due to the enchanting khareef season, D’Souza pointed out. “We have locals, expatriates, and GCC residents eagerly anticipating trips to Salalah,” he added.
Acknowledging the prevalence of this preference, an official from the Global Holidays said, “In Oman, we have seen a growing demand for the Khareef season in Salalah, which is a normal occurrence, but this year the holidays will coincide with the season.”
Additionally, he said his agency witnessed a rise in inquiries for Far East destinations, primarily Thailand and Malaysia.
“Some individuals are also opting for the Philippines and India.”
According to statistics from Skyscanner, the top five countries being searched from Oman for Eid al Adha holidays are Thailand, Turkey, the UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and India.
The top five searched cities include Bangkok, London, Istanbul, Trabzon, and Sarajevo.
Ayoub el Mamoun, Skyscanner Travel Expert, said, “During the peak season of Eid or summer vacations, typically known for higher travel costs, prices are not rising uniformly across all routes. This means that flexible travellers who are open to new destinations and know how to compare fares using platforms like Skyscanner can still find competitive deals.”
