According to the director of the Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin, in 2023 Russian tourists made over 100 thousand trips to Saudi Arabia, compared to just 55 thousand in 2022. This increase in tourist numbers is mainly due to the growing interest among Russians in visiting the country for both religious and recreational purposes. In general, 106.2 million foreign tourists visited Saudi Arabia by the end of 2023 (an increase of 12% compared to 2022). According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the kingdom became the fastest-growing destination among G20 countries in 2023. This result was achieved seven years ahead of schedule.
Russian tour operators say
Since the beginning of 2024, Tez Tour, a tour operator, has observed a "significant" increase in the sales of tours to Saudi Arabia. The company's sales of these tours are comparable to those of the destination in 2023. The capital city Riyadh and Jeddah, two popular destinations, are in high demand.
"The main focus of tourist visits is on sightseeing tours. People want to get familiar with local traditions and immerse themselves in the culture of the Middle East," the company explains. However, some tourists are also pilgrims. The demand for Russian tourists visiting Saudi Arabia is increasing, according to Daria Domostroeva, representative of tour operator Intourist. She explains that this is due to several factors, including the fact that Saudi Arabia has recently opened its doors to tourists. It is an interesting destination that is easy to visit.
The country's attractiveness is further enhanced by the fact that Russians can obtain an electronic visa for Saudi Arabia in just one day for $140, which can be paid with Union Pay or through a tour operator in Russian rubles. Residents of the Islamic parts of Russian Federation also have a long history of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia's holy cities, adds Domostroeva.
In addition to the religious reasons for visiting Saudi Arabia, Igor Blinov, director of development at OnlineTur.ru points out that there are also many other tourist attractions in the country. Blinov notes that the tourist flow in Saudi Arabia is also increasing, thanks to the presence of well-known international hotel chains such as Rixos and Raffles.Regis, Jumeirah. In the future, Saudi Arabia could compete with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, according to Domostroeva. However, this is more of a luxury option for Russians rather than a mass option due to the lack of direct flights.
Additionally, the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia doesn't cater to the typical Russian tourist's habits. For example, alcohol is prohibited and beaches are separated for men and women. This makes Saudi Arabia unsuitable for lovers of nightlife and beach vacations, according to a representative from Tez Tour.
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