For decades, Moscow has stood as a symbol of grandeur — a city where imperial history meets contemporary elegance, where opulent palaces coexist with cutting-edge luxury. Now, a new chapter is unfolding, one that sees the Russian capital forging deeper bonds with the Middle East, particularly the Gulf region. In 2023 and 2024, Moscow witnessed an unprecedented surge in visitors from the Gulf, with numbers nearly reaching pre-pandemic highs.
Gulf tourists prefer to stay in four- and five-star hotels, treat themselves to luxury goods, and seek out exclusive cultural and entertainment experiences. Recognising this trend, Moscow has taken strategic steps to cater to its Middle Eastern guests with bespoke hospitality. A significant milestone in 2024 was the introduction of the first-ever Muslim-Friendly Guide to Moscow, providing information about certified hotels and restaurants offering halal cuisine and other amenities.
In 2024, Russia launched a series of high-profile business missions to key markets including the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. These missions, designed to boost tourism and investment, led to over 4,200 negotiations with Gulf tourism leaders. The outcome was a growing demand for family-friendly, luxury experiences in Moscow, with a particular interest in entertainment, gastronomy, and cultural immersion.
In just six months, tourism from non-CIS countries increased by 70 percent, with travellers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. Moscow is setting an ambitious target of six million foreign tourists by 2030, with a strong focus on visitors from the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and BRICS nations. Must-visit luxury destinations for Middle Eastern visitors include Red Square and the Kremlin for a journey through history, the Bolshoi Theatre for world-renowned ballet, Zaryadye Park’s Floating Bridge for architecture and views of the Kremlin, and GUM and TSUM for haute couture and bespoke styling services. Moscow is positioning itself as the next premier destination for the Gulf’s most sophisticated travellers.