Strong interest from Arab tourists in Russia: New competition for Turkey
Russia has recently recorded a remarkable increase in tourists from Arab countries. Ease in visa processes, intensive promotional campaigns conducted online, and the resumption of direct flights have been the most significant factors changing Arab tourists' preferences.
EVEN POSSIBLE TO DRIVE A TANK
Cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, and Crimea stand out as the most popular destinations among Arab tourists. Besides natural beauties and historical heritage, luxury hotels, shopping centers, and special services also strengthen these preferences. Russia's extraordinary "military tours," which offer tourists the opportunity to drive real tanks and fire bullets at military training grounds, are among the notable differences.
NUMBERS ARE RAPIDLY INCREASING
According to data from the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR):
• The number of tourists from Saudi Arabia increased by 170% to 21,500.
• The number of tourists from the UAE was recorded as 16,900.
• The number of tourists from Oman increased 2.6 times to 6,200.
According to statistics from the Russian Federal Security Service, 629,000 foreign tourists visited the country in the first half of 2025. Although this figure indicates a 7.6% increase compared to last year, it still corresponds to only one-third of the pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
TURKEY IS FIRST BUT COMPETITION IS INTENSIFYING
Turkey continues to rank among the top countries sending the most tourists to Russia, with 30,800 visitors. However, the rapid rise of countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE into the top 6 presents a new competitive landscape. Experts point out that visa facilities and direct flights are diverting Arab tourists to Russia instead of Turkey.
Source: Haberrus / Sözcü
