The countries of the Persian Gulf predict a sharp increase of the number of Russian tourists

By 2020 the number of Russian tourists should grow by 38% in the region in comparison with 2016. According to the results of three quarters of 2017, only in Dubai the tourist flow from Russia has already doubled. Oman also sees the growth of prospects. Such figures were announced in January at the tourist exhibition in Dubai - Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2018). According to the Director of ATM Simon Press, the countries of the Persian Gulf are traditionally popular among Russian tourists, but the volatility of financial and oil markets has a significant effect on the Russian tourist flow to the region. The forecast for further growth is based on several factors: an increase of the number of air routes connecting the region of the Persian Gulf with Russia, cancelation of visas for Russians in UAE and a new accommodation and entertainment infrastructure which is developing in the region and attracting tourists from Russia. "In comparison with 2016 the number of Russians by 2020 in the countries of the Persian Gulf should grow by 38% and this all will certainly lead to an accelerated development of the tourism industry in the region", - Mr. Press stressed. For the first three quarters of 2017 Dubai registered an increase of the number of tourists from Russia by 98% and Russia was included in the TOP-10 of its incoming markets. In other emirates of UAE, the report says, there is also a significant increase of the number of Russians. So, only for the first quarter of 2017 the number of the Russian tourists in Abu Dhabi grew by 41%. According to the results for the first half of 2017, Ras Al Khaimah registered 84% more tourists from Russia against the same period of the last year. The Colliers report also notes that Saudi Arabia can increase the Russian incoming traffic at least by 20% by 2020.