Today's Edition
RASHA TABILA (ABU DHABI)
Russian tourists are considered a crucial component of the tourism market as the average number of Russian visitors to various destinations in the UAE exceeds one million annually. This influx is facilitated by national carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai, and Air Arabia, as well as Russian national airlines, according to local data.
In Abu Dhabi, visitors from India, Russia, the UK, China, and Saudi Arabia comprised a significant portion of the capital’s total visitors last year. The tourism sector experienced a substantial leap in 2023, welcoming approximately 24 million visitors. The increase in hotel guests by 27% and a 54% rise in international visitors contributed to boosting the economy, with an estimated contribution of around Dh49 billion to the UAE’s GDP.
According to the latest data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism for the first eight months of this year, the number of tourists from the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe, including Russia, reached 1.6 million, accounting for 14% of the total international visitors in Dubai.
Russia topped the list of tourism markets in Sharjah during the same period, capturing 21% of the total market share with 86,300 hotel guests.
This exceptional performance followed a notable growth of 88% in 2023, reinforcing Sharjah’s growing position as a preferred destination for Russian visitors.
In comparison, 2022 saw the reception of 238,185 visitors from Russia, marking a growth of 39% over the previous year, with a market share of 17%.
This ongoing upward trend reflects the increasing attractiveness of Sharjah as a key investment and tourism destination for the Russian market.
In 2021, Russia experienced significant growth, becoming the second-largest source market for the travel and tourism sector in Dubai, rising from eighth place in pandemic year rankings.
A previous report by Colliers indicated that the UAE is likely to maintain its position as a preferred Gulf destination for Russian visitors in the long term, with over 90% of incoming visitors projected by 2026.
