Tourist flow from Russia to the UAE increased by 28%
The Dubai Government’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said: Russia has shown impressive growth rates. According to statistics, the tourist flow from Russia to Dubai by the end of 2018 increased by 28%. Domestic tour operators confirmed this information.
Impressive indicators of tourist flow were in 2018 China and Russia. The countries ranked fourth and sixth in the number of tourists respectively <...> The number of Russians amounted to 678,000 travelers, which is 28% more than a year earlier. The significant increase in tourists from these countries is due to the new rules for issuing visas directly at the Dubai airport and the increase in the frequency of air travel.”
Travelers from India are in the first place (2 million people), from Saudi Arabia (1.6 million), the UK (1.2 million travelers).
In total, 15.92 million tourists visited Dubai in 2018, which is 0.8% more than in 2017.
Tour operators who specialize in the Emirates confirm this information: We can confirm the data for Dubai with our practice: we also have about 25% growth. The season is very active, says D. Harutyunov, director of the tour operator Art Tour.
He believes that the season will continue in the summer - after the holidays in May to May. UAE We expect good prices.
In the top of the requests for the UAE from customers of Biblio Globe Dubai, where the demand is at the level of last year, then Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. In general, the demand for tours to the UAE in the winter season of 2019 along the Biblio-Globus line increased by 11%, the press service of the tour operator said.
Tours for 7-10 nights are popular, there is a noticeable interest in 4-5* hotels, which is explained by the large number of family tourists and the growth in the number of SPAs, promotions and bonuses from hotels (discounts up to 50%, upgrades to the food category, free accommodation and meals for children under the age of 12, free visiting parks).
Also this season there is an increase in the depth of sales by an average of 2-3 months. For example, for New Year’s dates, tours were booked back in July, and today the booking depth reaches October, Biblio Globus said.