JEDDAH: Turkey is the most popular destination for Saudi holidaymakers this summer, followed by Malaysia and the Philippines, according to flight operators. Flight tickets are also expected to cost up to anything between 15 and 30 percent more than the rest of the year, something observers describe as “to be expected” as this year's relatively short summer holidays coincide with the Umrah season. Airline representative Ahmad Idris said that bookings this year were highest for Turkey, with Malaysia and the Philippines close behind. “Bookings by Saudi families for Europe have also gone by 28 percent compared to the same period last year,” he said. “Online booking is the best way to secure the best prices for flight ticket, and we would recommend booking as early as possible to avoid the high prices of last minute reservations.” Fakandil Tawfeeq, an Asian airline representative, said that airlines' encouragement of early booking and filling all seats on aircraft, coupled with the beginning of the holidays and Umrah season, has led to an increase in demand and a 30-percent rise in prices. “For a return ticket Jeddah-Jakarta prices begin at SR2,900,” he said. “Bookings for South Asian countries are taking a considerable share of the Saudi market this summer, and the clash with Ramadan and the Umrah season has already left some flights fully booked.”
