UAE as Tourism Destination from Russia. Analysis till 2017

Dubai is included in the TOP 20 of far abroad countries, which are visited by Russian tourists. According to the Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing of Dubai, the Emirate was visited by:

2015 year - 206 400 Russian tourists
2016 year - 240 000 Russian tourists
2017 year - 530 000 Russian tourists
January-March 2018 - 259 000 Russian tourists

Attendance is growing from year to year. Russia became the record holder by the growth of tourist traffic in 2017 (530,000 tourists, + 121% against 2016). By the volume of the tourist flow Russia is in the TOP-10 of the key foreign incoming markets of Dubai with the 8-th position.

The Department of Tourism and Marketing of Dubai notes 4.1 million night stays only in the first quarter of 2018 in hotels of Dubai. At the same time, Russia is on the fourth position by the number of visitors, ahead practically the whole Europe, except Great Britain.

The growth of the tourist flow was undoubtedly connected with the simplification of visa regime in February 2017 (visa is free of charge and issued upon arrival at airport for 30 days), as well as an increase of the volume of air transportation. For example, Dubai airline Flydubai launched two new routes from Russia to Dubai, expanding the route network to 11 cities of Russia. Emirates also increased its volume using A380 on its two flights from Moscow. In addition, key Russian tour operators launched in 2017 direct charter flights to Dubai from several regions of Russia.

The most popular among Russians are traditionally beach holidays and family travel. But the share of business trips and medical tourism also increases.

A distinctive feature of Dubai resort is a large percentage of return tourists. They can also be called loyal tourists. Many of those who once visited Dubai, strive to get there again and again. Now, 50% of Russians visiting Dubai are more than wealthy people who make their choice in favor of the most expensive deluxe hotels. However, there is a growing demand for inexpensive vacation, for example, for the rest in four-star city hotels, as well as increased demand for last-minute travel offers.

According to Isam Kazim, the Head of the Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing of the Emirate of Dubai, - "Dubai has good opportunities to increase its share on the Russian out coming tourism market in 2018. We are aimed to increase traffic volumes and tourist flow from Russian Federation".