Expats return in large numbers to celebrate Eid

A large number of Bangladeshis living in the United States have returned home to celebrate Holy Eid-ul-Fitr with families and relations. Travel agents said the number of home-goers increased this year with Eid festival coinciding with summer vacation in the US and political calm prevailing in Bangladesh. They said a rise in plane fares in the current tourism season had not dampened people’s mood to travel home. North America Travel Agents Association President Nazmul Huda said the number of expatriates going to Bangladesh during the summer vacation increased by about 50 per cent year-on-year. Huda said many non-resident Bangladeshis had also planned a visit home during the Eid-ul-Azha, to be celebrated 2-and-half-month later. He, however, said they were not confirming tickets yet, expecting airlines to announce discounts before the festival. According to the travel agents, an economy-class ticket on routes from the US to Bangladesh was currently costing from $1,100 to $1,200. Last year, the airlines offered special discounts for the expatriates. Remittance from the US to Bangladesh has also increased ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Shahadat Hossain, manager at Sonali Exchange Corporate Headquarters in the US, said around 14,000 expatriates remitted about $10 million from their 10 branches during the Ramadan. Last year, the amount was $9.8m. Rupali Exchange Chief Executive Sheikh Islam said around 7,500 Bangladeshis sent home about $4 million from their 6 branches during the Ramadan. Last year, they remitted about $3m, according to bdnews24.com.