Mubasher: The number of Russian travelers to the Gulf Region is expected to grow 125% to 2.1 million in 2023 compared to 933,000 in 2018, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019 that will kick off from 28 April to 1 May 2019 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Colliers International’s latest research expected the increase in Russian tourists to the GCC region to create an extra 2.9 million room nights over the coming five years.

Russian visitors to the ATM exhibition increased 29% YoY between 2017 and 2018, with the total number of visitors interested in doing business with Russia also increasing 3% YoY.

“Looking at the economic drivers, Russia’s links with the GCC have strengthened in recent years due to the introduction of additional airline routes; relaxed visa regulations for Russian nationals; the oil price recovery and stabling of value of the Russian Ruble; a new generation of leisure attractions and retail destinations and a broad range of hotels and resorts across the GCC region,” according to the statement.

Etihad Airways and flydubai have increased the number of their flights between the UAE and Russia, with flydubai twice extending its Russian network in 2017.

“While the UAE is expected to account for the majority of Russian arrivals in 2018, Saudi Arabia actually witnessed the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) between 2013 and 2018, at 20% compared with 17% for the UAE,” the statement added.