People in UAE to take longer Eid al-Fitr breaks this year

• Eid al-Fitr meets spring break
• Increases holiday to 12 days
• India and Egypt top searches

UAE residents are increasing the duration of their holiday break over Eid al-Fitr this year as celebrations ending Muslims’ Ramadan month of fasting coincide with the spring break for schools.

The length of a typical Eid holiday this year may increase by half, up from an average eight days to 12, according to data supplied by online travel marketplace Wego.

Determined by the sighting of the new moon, the last day of Ramadan this year will either be March 30 or March 31, and lead to a two- to three-day public holiday immediately after. 

This coincides with the spring break for schools in the UAE from March 24 to April 7.

Each year, because it is based on the lunar calendar, the start-date of Ramadan moves earlier by roughly 12 days.

“The trend towards longer getaways is evident,” said Mamoun Hmidan, chief business officer at Wego.

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Hmidan said there had been 1.6 million searches recorded on the site for holiday trips over Eid, with India, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria as lead destinations, “fuelled by cultural connections and family reunions”.

Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines and Morocco meanwhile, “are drawing travellers eager for diverse experiences”.

Roughly 11 million people live in the UAE, of whom more than 80 percent are foreigners.

Eid al-Fitr, which translates to “festival of breaking the fast”, are days of thanksgiving, family and community among observing Muslims.