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Frenzy over bargain Eid deals

Travel agencies, airlines busy cashing in on possible 9-day break
Travellers are in a frenzy to snap up Eid Al Adha deals, as a nine-day break beckons many away from the UAE, for the long haul.

Emirates, Etihad, Oman Air and all other major Middle East carriers are gearing up for the festive rush, while travel agents are enticing travellers with deals galore, including a three-night holiday to Paris for Dh3,510, inclusive of airfare, by Al Futtaim Travels; or even a land only package for a four-night stay in Malaysia, starting at Dh700.

"Eid packages to Sri Lanka and Malaysia are already sold out, while Turkey and Thailand are also fast filling up," said Arvind A., a leisure travel salesperson at Al Rostamani Travels.

He added that Jordan is also emerging as a contender, with flight deals now nearly over, while package deals are still up for grabs, for now at least.

Moving away from traditional three-night packages, many travel agencies and airlines are offering holidays with a longer duration to accommodate the demand by many travellers for an eight-night break.

Said operations manager Mohammed Al Karam: "I work for a semi-government organisation and we have been informed that the entire week could possibly be declared as a holiday on the occasion of Eid Al Adha.

"Keeping this in mind, I have already booked myself and the family for a week-long holiday to Thailand. I grabbed a good deal earlier and customised the package to not only include Bangkok, but also Phuket; all for just Dh5,250."

Cut a ticket for paradise

The package deals encompass most popular destinations under the seven-hour radius, with Dnata 's Eid Al Adha holiday packages offering killer deals to nearly 20 international destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean - including Rome, the Maldives and the Seychelles.

"With Eid Al Adha approaching, now is the time to book a short getaway," said divisional senior vice president for travel, Dnata , Iain Andrew, in a statement. "With so many great value packages in desirable destinations, the question should not be whether or not you will be travelling this Eid, but where are you going?"

Bonus night offers, complimentary room upgrades and extra perks are Dnata 's pitch to lure stressed clientele and young couples, with a stay at the five-star Centara Grand in Bangkok, inclusive of airfare, three-nights in a superior room and daily breakfast comes with a few room upgrade and a 30-minute complimentary massage.

Emirates Holidays this Eid Al Adha is also rolling out the red carpet with deals that offer luxury at the tip of your fingers, with packages to Prague, South Africa and Amsterdam offering something different from your usual run-of-the-mill vacation.

Our top pick for a family class A holiday is the Kenya Masai Mara decadence, which sees guests stay in the heart of Africa's Great Plains, right in the midst of big cat territory, with rolling grasslands providing plentiful options for viewing a variety of game. Opt for a hot-air balloon excursion for a truly spectacular view over this magnificent landscape.

Packages start from Dh8,942 and include airfares, airport transfers, safari link return flights from Wilson to Masai Mara, meals and game drives.

"Those looking for a beach getaway can't get better than some of the all-inclusive packages for Sri Lanka, with deals starting as low as Dh1,900 for a four-nights all inclusive stay," said Abdul Rahman from Al Maosa Travels. "Some of the flights have already sold out on this sector. We don't see ourselves selling Sri Lanka very soon."

Turkish delights

Arguably, the biggest seller this Eid Al Adha season is packages to Istanbul, Turkey with Al Futtaim Travels promising an all-inclusive for three-nights starting at Dh2,995. Al Rostamani is selling a four-nights, land only package for as low as Dh740 per person, while Fly Express beats all with a four-nights package for as low as Dh1,399.

"I've booked a trip to Istanbul this time around because not only we got a killer deal, but also the fact that we feel safe going there," said college student Shraddha Bhatia. "Ever since the Arab spring, a lot of us are now unsure if travel to a Middle Eastern country is safe anywhere - even Syria has not been spared. My friends and I felt comfortable going to Turkey, knowing that it's neutral and that it's a four-hour flight home should something go wrong."

In fact, the Arab Spring has hit Egypt the hardest it seems, with a travel agent, on the condition of anonymity, saying: "We've had several enquiries for Cairo and a Nile Cruise; however, the ongoing tension in the country once again between the Coptics and the government forces has deterred many."

Jhanavi Thaker, who was planning an eight-night stay in Egypt called off her tour last minute, saying: "I saw the unrest on TV two nights ago and that was enough to prompt me to cancel my holiday. I have two kids, one six and one two, who are travelling with me. I don't want to risk their lives or expose them to civil unrest.

"It is very sad though considering I have been planning an Egyptian Nile Cruise for years and it seemed the time had finally come, but the ship has sailed away once again this holiday season."

© Emirates 24|7 2011