Tag Archives: visitor numbers

Moscow has witnessed a sharp increase in visitors from the UAE, rising from 18,000 in 2019 to 62,100 in 2024, according to Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. He emphasised Moscow’s growing appeal to Gulf tourists, with expanded halal dining options and Arabic-language services across the city. New tourist information centres—staffed with English and Arabic speakers—have opened at key locations, including Dream Island amusement park and river stations. A recently launched Muslim-Friendly Guide offers curated recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and activities. E-visas have also simplified entry procedures, boosting accessibility for international travellers. This summer, Moscow is hosting vibrant cultural festivals and events to entice Middle Eastern travellers to the city for a seamless holiday experience.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reports its best year for tourism ever, welcoming a record 1.22 million overnight arrivals to the nature Emirate in 2023, up 8% on 2022 numbers and bolstered by a significant 24% year-on-year pick-up in international visitors. The robust performance is underscored by RAKTDA’s strategic growth plans. From investment in tourism infrastructure, targeted initiatives to drive more visitors to the emirate, to developing an ecosystem rooted in sustainability, Ras Al Khaimah continues to reinforce its position as a destination of the future. Its key 2023 achievements include: • A 24% increase in international visitors, supported by over 2,200 international activities from roadshows, trade fairs to media events across 30 countries. • Cemented status as a business and social events hub with a 23% growth in MICE revenue and 103% increase in revenue from weddings. • Silver Certification under EarthCheck’s world-leading Sustainable Destinations programme – the only destination in the Middle East to receive this level of certification alongside more than 20 tourism partners from hotels and attractions. • Featured in CNN Travel’s best destinations to visit in 2023; Condé Nast Traveler’s best places to go in Asia 2024; Travel + Leisure India’s Forget Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah Is The Place To Be In The UAE; and Forbes’ Why You Should Visit Ras Al Khaimah Now. • Boosted international air connectivity with the introduction of direct flights with Qatar Airways, Indian carrier IndiGo’s, Smart Wings, Centrum Air and SmartLynx. • Launched borderless travel with Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) for cross-destination tourism promotion and marketing initiatives, boosting visitor arrivals to Ras Al Khaimah and Musandam. • Debut of Anantara Mina Al Arab …

Jordan welcomed 4.6 million tourists in 2022, close to the 4.8 million recorded in 2019, with receipts from tourism totaling US$5.8 billion for the year. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein to congratulate him on the “rapid and remarkable” recovery of Jordanian tourism. The Secretary-General also commended the strong support shown to tourism by the Jordanian Royal Family and the Government, including for ongoing work to diversify the sector.