Manama: Egypt's political turmoil has forced several Kuwaitis to re-orient their holiday plans to Bahrain and Dubai.
Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates have already made bookings in Manama and Dubai after canceling plans to spend the long February holidays in Cairo or in the coastal resort of Sharm El Sheikh, Kuwait news Agency (KUNA) reported. Most travel agencies have announced that flights to Dubai were fully booked.
Beirut, however, has suffered from lack of interest amid uncertainties about political developments in the Lebanese capital, they said.
"I believe that Dubai or Doha should be our destination because of all the political developments," Abdullah Al Humood said, according to the news agency.
Yousuf Al Amiri, who has just reached home from Alexandria, said that he would take his family to Dubai where they would enjoy shopping.
Esam Al Zamel, the head of operation in the civil aviation, said that Dubai, Beirut and London were among the top favourites, while Adel Al Boursali, the head of public relations in Kuwait Airways, said that Dubai, Doha, Manama and Muscat were the most popular. Trips to Saudi Arabia to perform Omra are also under heavy demand, he said.
Travel agents said that Germany and Britain remain among the most coveted destinations in Europe while Malaysia and Thailand topped the demands for Asian experiences.
Istanbul is also a hot destination and is being discovered by Kuwaiti families.
The proliferation of Turkish series, where romance in Arabic mixes with attractive landscape and sites, in addition to pleasant cool weather has made Istanbul a special destination, a travel agent said
