Travel agencies report brisk business

Travel agencies reported brisk business as travellers from Bahrain spend their holidays in GCC countries as well as Europe.

Most Travellers chose to go to neighbouring GCC countries due the short holidays while others flew to Europe to celebrate Christmas and New Year, travel agents have noted.  

Most travelled to Oman, Dubai and Kuwait, Aryan Travel Operation manager Ryan Perera told DT News. 

“We found that Dubai and Oman are the countries visited most by travellers from Bahrain this holiday season. I would say Dubai is the most visited and second comes Oman. This was not a long holiday season so many travellers could not go to places further away, they were limited in the places they could go. 

“Most travellers visited places within the GCC. Most of those who travelled through us were expatriates but Bahrainis have also travelled this holiday season. This year has been busier than last year and Ihope that next year it is even better.”  

Sharing a similar view, Muhanna Travel Owner Ebrahim Muhanna said:  “Dubai, Muscut and Kuwait were some of the most popular places this season. 

“We also had a lot of work related to religious pilgrimage to Iran and Iraq. There were also many who utilised holidays to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Islamic religious pilgrimage). 

“This year has been 100 per cent better than what was at this point last year,” he said. Travel agent Amir Sultan said that there was a spike in the number of travellers to Oman this season. 

“Oman did well this time, we have had more travellers to Oman than usual.” he said. 

Sehab Travel owner and Managing Director Fatima Ahmed said that European countries were also popular. “Turkey, the UK, France, Italy, Holland, and also Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines Sri Lanka and India were very popular this month because of the festive season.