Abu Dhabi sees 11% year-on-year...

Russian inbound market increasingly favours five-star hotels

Abu Dhabi has become the preferred GCC destination for long-haul Russian travellers, according to insights released by data intelligence company Mabrian.

According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), Russian outbound travel increased by 14% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, driven by demand for travel to long-haul destinations including the UAE.

Furthermore, Russian travellers' stays in Abu Dhabi increased by 57% compared to the same period in 2023, with the average length of stay rising from 2.9 days in 2023 to 3.4 days in 2024.

Mabrian’s demand projections, based on flight searches, indicate that after a 52% increase in Russian visitors to Abu Dhabi in the first half of 2024 (compared to the same period in 2023), the number is expected to rise by another 53%, reaching approximately 50,000 travellers in the second half of the year.

Findings show that the hotel experience is paramount for Russian travellers. They seek high quality, luxury experiences from renowned hotel brands in the most coveted areas of the city, such as the Corniche, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Al Reem Island and Khalifa City.

Just over 28% of travellers stayed in four-star hotels, while 42.7% stayed in five-star accommodation. The preference for five-star hotels is 6.5% higher than the average for all nationalities visiting the emirate.

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