The panel, titled “UAE-Russia Tourism Dialogue: Successful Stories”, was organised by the Russia-UAE Business Council in cooperation with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the Russian Federation. Held during the forum at the All-Russian Exhibition Centre, the discussion brought together officials, tourism promoters, business representatives and travel industry executives at a time when visitor flows between the two countries are rising despite a complicated global travel environment.
The scale of attendance reflected the growing commercial weight of the UAE-Russia tourism corridor. Russians remain among the most visible foreign visitor groups in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates, while Russia has been working to attract more travellers from the Gulf through winter tourism, heritage routes, luxury hospitality and Arabic-language services.
About 2.45 million Russian travellers visited the UAE in 2025, a rise of nearly a quarter from the previous year, strengthening the Emirates’ position as one of the most important outbound destinations for the Russian market. The flow has been supported by direct air links, visa facilitation, high-end shopping, hotel capacity and the presence of a large Russian-speaking business and expatriate community.
Movement in the opposite direction is smaller but growing. More than 59,000 UAE tourists visited Russia in 2025, while wider Gulf arrivals have increased as Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi and Murmansk seek to diversify source markets beyond Europe and East Asia. Russian operators have promoted snow experiences, cultural festivals, river cruises, wellness retreats and halal-friendly travel packages to Gulf visitors.
The Moscow session focused on practical examples of cooperation rather than broad promotional language. Participants discussed joint tour products, destination marketing, hospitality investment, aviation connectivity, digital booking platforms and the need for services adapted to different traveller expectations. The emphasis was on converting strong political and business ties into repeat visitor traffic, longer stays and higher spending.
The Let’s Travel forum, held from 10 to 14 June, has become a major platform for Russia’s tourism industry, combining business meetings with public exhibitions. Its 2026 edition was given international status, widening participation by foreign destinations, airlines, tour operators and tourism technology companies. The UAE session’s turnout stood out because it combined a large consumer market with an active investment relationship.
Tourism has become one of the less contentious areas of UAE-Russia engagement. Bilateral relations have deepened across trade, energy, logistics, investment and technology, while the UAE has also maintained a diplomatic role in humanitarian mediation linked to the war in Ukraine. Travel ties have benefited from this wider relationship, although the sector still operates against the backdrop of sanctions, payment restrictions and changes in global aviation routes.
Russia’s inbound tourism remains well below the level seen during the 2018 football World Cup, when the country received about 4.2 million foreign tourists. Foreign tourist numbers reached around 1.64 million in 2025, up 4.5 per cent from the previous year, leaving authorities and tour companies focused on markets that remain accessible. The Gulf has become one of those priority regions because of direct flights, spending power and demand for cooler-weather travel.
For the UAE, the Russian market is important not only for hotels and airlines but also for retail, real estate, restaurants and private healthcare. Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, up 5 per cent from 2024, with the city continuing to position itself as a year-round global hub for leisure, business events and remote work. Abu Dhabi has also been expanding its cultural tourism offer through Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, museums, events and cruise tourism.
The panel also reflected a broader shift in tourism diplomacy. Destinations are increasingly using business councils, embassies and sector forums to secure market access, rather than relying only on travel fairs. For Russia, the UAE offers a gateway to Gulf and wider Middle East travellers. For the Emirates, Russia provides a large outbound market and a source of visitors who often travel for longer holidays and premium experiences.
Air connectivity remains the backbone of the relationship. UAE and Russian carriers continue to operate services linking Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah with Moscow and other Russian cities. These routes have helped sustain leisure travel as well as business movement, family visits and investment-linked trips.
Follow Arabian Post
Select Arabian Post as your preferred source on Google and MSN News for trusted business news and Arab politics and updates.
