Many of Bangladesh's well-off families are utilising the Eid-ul-Fitr festival this year to take a holiday abroad, moving away from the grime and jostling crowds at home.

Some tour operators recorded 20 percent increase this year in their clients who will take a week-long holiday abroad, The Daily Star reported Thursday.

Travel agents say the number of Bangladeshis travelling abroad or visiting domestic tourist spots during a vacation like Eid is increasing gradually.

Zahirul Islam Bhuiyan, chief executive officer of Discovery Tours and Logistics, says overseas demand has increased by 20 percent this Eid.

His firm will also send 50 people to Cox's Bazar, the southeastern sea resort in Bangladesh, and Sylhet in the northeastern region during the festival.

S. M. Shahabuddin, owner of International Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management near the beach of Cox's Bazar, said 100,000 people may travel to Cox's Bazar, the country's top tourist spot, during Eid.

Egypt and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) are among the popular foreign destinations. Bhuiyan's firm has also sent individuals or groups to India, China, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore and Thailand.

Taufiq Uddin Ahmad, president of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, estimates that 50 tour operators in the country would be flying some 40,000 people abroad during Eid.