Gulf celebrates Eid al-Adha under shadow of war

Eid al-Adha festivities are beginning across the Gulf this week against the backdrop of regional conflict, with airports warning of heavy congestion, hotels reporting strong bookings, and millions traveling for the holiday despite months of disruption linked to the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.

The Eid holiday marks the first time in decades that Gulf states are observing one of Islam’s holiest celebrations under the shadow of a regional conflict. The last comparable period for much of the Gulf was during the 1990-91 Gulf War. Since the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran began on Feb. 28, Gulf countries have repeatedly faced Iranian missile attacks. 

Still, signs of normal holiday activity remain visible across the region. The war has done little to deter Hajj visitors to Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities said last week that around 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom for the annual pilgrimage, exceeding last year’s figure by more than 11,000.

Airports on alert

In the United Arab Emirates, airports are preparing for one of the busiest travel periods of the summer as residents take advantage of the extended Eid holiday for overseas travel, domestic staycations and family visits.

Emirates and Etihad Airways on Monday warned passengers of heavy congestion and long queues at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. In travel advisories, both airlines urged passengers to arrive at terminals at least three hours before departure and reach boarding gates no later than 60 minutes before takeoff.

DXB handled 7.7 million passengers last month and expects daily passenger traffic to exceed 190,000 during the Eid holiday period, according to Dubai Airports, operator of the emirate’s two aviation hubs. In an X post on Tuesday, Dubai Airports said that more than 40 airlines are now operating through DXB, the world’s busiest international airport, following the easing of earlier wartime restrictions and full resumption of air traffic earlier this month.

Shifting travel patterns

At the same time, the conflict appears to be reshaping some travel behavior across the region. UAE hotels have reported stronger staycation demand during the Eid holiday period, as some residents opt for domestic breaks or shorter regional trips amid elevated airfares and lingering concerns over flight disruptions.

Bahrain, for instance, is seeing a rise in regional tourism demand during the holiday period, particularly from GCC travelers seeking short-haul family trips.

Hotels in Manama, Muharraq and the Bahrain Bay district have reported increased bookings ahead of Eid. Michael Mounir, Bahrain director of sales and distribution at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, told local media that GCC travelers currently account for the majority of reservations, with similar trends reported by the Four Seasons and InterContinental Bahrain.

Trade reroutes overland

In Oman, meanwhile, the conflict has contributed to a surge in overland trade activity with the UAE as businesses seek alternatives to maritime shipping routes affected by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Khalid bin Salim Al-Qasabi, director general of industry at Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment, told AGBI on Monday that nearly a million metric tons of goods have crossed by land from Oman to the UAE in the last three days, including 900,000 tonnes of food and 200,000 sheep and goats. He estimated UAE-Oman border trade during the holiday period has risen around 60% compared to last year.

The movement of livestock and food supplies ahead of Eid has also drawn attention to broader Gulf concerns over supply chains and food security during the conflict, particularly given the region’s heavy reliance on imports routed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the wartime backdrop, Gulf governments have largely pressed ahead with public celebration plans, tourism campaigns and holiday programming, seeking to project stability during one of the region’s most economically and socially significant periods of the year.