Tour operators predict an increase of tourist traffic to the UAE in the winter season

According to the Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing of the Government of Dubai (DTCM), for the first six months of this year, 405,000 Russian tourists visited Dubai, which is 74% more than in the same period of the last year. This is the most significant growth among the abroad markets of Dubai. For comparison, the tourist flow from China grew by only 7%. According to the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation, in 2017 the flow of tourists from Russia to the UAE increased by 53.7% in comparison with 2016 and amounted to 784 thousand persons. Tour operators estimate the growth of sales of tours last year to the UAE at the level of 60-80%. Such a significant increase of the tourist flow to the UAE began from last year, when the visa regime for tourists from Russia was simplified. Later this year, the visa regime between the two countries was canceled. Dubai remains the leader of the growth of the Russian market. According to DTCM, last year the flow of tourists from Russia to Dubai amounted to 530 thousand people, which is 121% more than for the previous year. The tourist flow to Abu Dhabi last year (according to the results of 10 months) grew by 75% and amounted to 29.5 thousand tourists. Tour operators expect that demand for the UAE in the winter season will continue to grow. "The lack of a visa regime remains an important factor in favor of choosing the UAE and in general popularization of the direction. In addition, the national tourism offices of the Emirates demonstrate impressive marketing activity, which also contributes to the growth of the tourist flow", - reported ANEX Tour press service. Most of tour operators (Biblio-Globus, Coral Travel, ANEX Tour, Intourist, TUI Russia, Art Tour) have already opened sales of tours to the UAE for the winter season. TUI Russia and Biblio-Globus note a planned increase of volumes for the UAE in the upcoming season. Biblio-Globus also expands the hotel base of the direction. The most popular destination for Russians is still Dubai. It concentrates up to 90% of the total volume of tourists in the UAE. Further by popularity follow Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.