A couple from Qatar fed a modest herd of deer on Thursday, while tourists from the United Arab Emirates experienced the thrill of a hovercraft ride across a frozen lake near Moscow, scenes illustrating a growing trend: a surge in visitors from the Gulf region to Russia.
The influx, particularly noticeable during the current winter season, is driven by a combination of strengthened political ties and increasingly accessible travel options, according to tour operators and government data. At Nazarievo Husky Park, 45 kilometers west of Moscow, signs are now displayed in both Arabic and Russian, catering to the growing number of Gulf tourists seeking unique winter experiences.
“It was like drifting in the desert but here on ice,” said Badreya Almarooqi, a tourist from the UAE, describing her hovercraft experience. Ayoub Aziz, a tourist from Saudi Arabia, described a hot air balloon ride over the snowy landscape as “one of the best activities in my life!”
The shift in tourism patterns comes as Russia navigates a new geopolitical landscape following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Moscow has actively sought to strengthen relationships with countries in the Middle East, including Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, which have played roles in mediating prisoner exchanges and facilitating the return of children to Ukraine.
Official statistics reveal a significant increase in Gulf visitors. While China remains the leading source of tourists to Russia, with over 800,000 visits last year, Saudi Arabia secured the second position for the first time, with nearly 75,000 tourists – a year-on-year increase of almost 36%. The UAE followed, ranking sixth with over 59,000 visitors. Alexander Musikhin, general director of the Intourist tour operator, noted that “virtually all Arab countries have at least doubled their numbers.” He added that arrivals from Saudi Arabia have increased nearly fifteenfold compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The UAE and Russia have a long-standing relationship, dating back to 1971, and have been described as having a “somewhat strategic partnership,” with cooperation in areas such as Iraq, Egypt, and Libya. In August 2025, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, pledging to double Russia-UAE trade in the next five years.
Gulf tourists tend to favor luxury accommodations in central Moscow and frequent high-end restaurants and shopping destinations. Tour operators estimate that visitors spend at least 200,000-300,000 roubles ($6,523) on additional services. However, restrictions on bringing in more than $10,000 in cash without declaration, coupled with the inoperability of Visa and Mastercard due to Western sanctions, pose challenges. “So it has to be in cash,” said UAE tourist Rashan Godani.
Russia welcomed 1.64 million tourists in 2025, a 4.5% increase from 2024, but significantly lower than the 4.2 million visitors in 2018, the year Russia hosted the World Cup. In contrast, 2.45 million Russians visited the UAE last year, a nearly 25% increase year-on-year, with some Russian businesses establishing offices in Dubai.
Despite the growth, Musikhin cautioned that fallout from the conflict in Ukraine continues to limit expansion. He cited temporary closures of Russian airports due to Ukrainian drone attacks and increased security checks at borders as contributing factors. However, he added that “tourists are generally understanding about this.”