MUSCAT: With nine-day Eid holidays starting on Friday until July 24, some citizens and expats have decided to “stay home” for the sake of normality, while others who usually head home or travel overseas during this long break are now contemplating a staycation in Oman.

Speaking to The Arabian Stories, Mohammed Nasser, a Muscat based resident who usually fly to India has now decided to stay back home due to the travel ban imposed by the Supreme Committee. “Every Eid I fly to my home town in Kerala, India. This time I prefer staying at home in Muscat itself because of the travel ban. I can fly home but due to the uncertainty in return, I do not want to take the risk,” Nasser said.

Robert James, a UK national residing in Muscat, is preparing to travel to Salalah during the Eid holidays. “It’s been just three years since I am here in Muscat and I never really found time to explore this great place. I and my family have been vaccinated and we are planning to go to Salalah. The climate is excellent,” James said.

Omani citizen, Mohammed Al Mamari, who is a frequent traveller, is flying with his family to Turkey to spend the long holiday. “Turkey is less expensive compared to the other countries and you do not have to go under quarantine,” Al Mamari said.

In the wake of rising coronavirus cases, Oman will impose a full-lockdown on the first three days of Eid Al Adha (from July 20 to 22).

Meanwhile, a top travel agent said Istanbul, and Trabzon in Turkey are the popular Eid holiday destinations, followed by Sarajevo in Bosnia. “We are getting enquiries and bookings for Istanbul and Trabzon. With SalamAir starting its summer operations to Sarajevo, people are also looking at these destinations for travel now,” Reena Abdulrahman, Chief Operating Officer of Alhind Travel and Tours.

With Covid-19 restrictions, including the 7-day institutional quarantine in Oman and the three-day full-lockdown, citizens and residents are looking to spend valuable time with their loved ones at home.

Many hotels in the country have also rolled out offers for people.

According to Reena, the nine-day Eid break is also expected to boost local tourism. “People have to spend a good amount of money when coming back to Oman for institutional quarantine. They might spend that money within Oman especially travelling to Salalah. This long Eid break will give local tourism the much needed boost,” Reena added.