10/02/2025
10/02/2025
![Where to Travel These National Days? Popular Destinations and Trends](https://cdn4.premiumread.com/?url=https://arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/uploads/images/2025/02/10/52201.jpg&w=1200&q=90&f=webp&t=0.0.1)
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 10: The National Day holiday has prompted many Kuwaiti citizens and expats to seek ideal travel destinations. This period presents a valuable opportunity for short getaways, allowing travelers to experience a different atmosphere without needing long-distance flights or large budgets. Many explore new cities, whether within the Gulf region, other Arab capitals, or nearby international destinations.
This season, several locations have emerged as popular choices, including Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, the Maldives, and Rome. These destinations are favored due to attractive travel deals, the availability of direct flights, and the pleasant weather, which adds to their appeal. The rising demand for Umrah trips has significantly influenced travel trends, especially as Ramadan approaches.
Several experts in the travel and tourism sector noted that ticket prices remain reasonable and have not surged to peak-season levels typically seen during the summer months. While some people prefer to travel, many citizens and residents opt to stay within the country to enjoy the festive celebrations. These include entertainment shows, fireworks, national parades, and exclusive shopping and tourism offers organized by both government and private entities.
Improved weather conditions in many typically warm destinations have contributed to their appeal. Travelers are eager to explore these locations while enjoying moderate temperatures, and avoiding the crowds that usually characterize summer vacations. The tourism sector continues to see a significant boost during short holiday periods, as individuals seek unique and cost-effective travel experiences.
Many extend their vacations to approximately ten days by traveling early and combining leave days. Egyptian, Lebanese, and Jordanian expatriates, in particular, have demonstrated a high demand for travel, with more than 80% of available seats booked for destinations in these countries. Conversely, demand from expatriates whose home countries require longer travel times, such as India and the Philippines, remains stable, as short holidays do not align with their travel needs. There is also a notable rise in demand for Umrah bookings, with the holiday providing an opportunity to perform religious rituals before Ramadan. Current prices for Umrah travel are relatively moderate compared to peak Ramadan rates, which typically see significant increases due to high demand. The Saudi authorities' decision to lift vaccination requirements has further encouraged travel.
Additionally, Damascus has started to attract interest as a travel destination. With changing conditions in Syria, more travelers are inquiring about visiting the country, indicating a growing curiosity for alternative destinations. Overall, the National Day holiday continues to serve as a key period for travel, with citizens and residents balancing between exploring new destinations and participating in local celebrations.