Three million Saudis studying or touring overseas will return home for the holy month of Ramadan. Despite Ramadan coming in summer holidays this year, most Saudis prefer spending the month of worship and traditions at home. Family gatherings of Iftar, Suhur and staying up until dawn is a different experience in Saudi Arabia, Al-Hayat reported. Said Al-Ghamdi is one such Saudi who cut short his vacation in Europe to return home before Ramadan. “The joy of fasting and worship at home is unrivaled,” Al-Ghamdi said. Praying Taraweeh, Tahajjud and visiting the Two Holy Mosques in Ramadan is of special importance and virtue. “I hope traders do not take advantage of Ramadan to increase prices. I don't want to spend a lot on Ramadan supplies, especially since I have already spent SR40,000 for two weeks in Europe,” Al-Ghamdi said. The Saudi High Tourism Authority said over three million Saudis traveled overseas this summer and estimated their total spending at SR27 billion. Saudi tourists visiting Egypt went down by 20 percent this year, while Lebanon, Turkey and Malaysia reported an increase in tourists from Saudi Arabia, the tourism authority said.
