By: Mahmoud Gamal
Dubai – Mubasher: Travel agencies in the UAE started offering travel promotions and packages following Russia’s decision to grant visa-free entry for Emiratis.
Russia started implementing the new visa policy on Sunday, 17 February.
Under the decision, citizens of the UAE from the regular passport holders can travel to the Federal Republic of Russia without prior visas.
The move is very positive and reflects growing bilateral relations between the two countries, along with opening new opportunities for UAE citizens in the sectors of tourism, investment, trade and cultural exchange, experts told Mubasher.
They added the visa-free entry decision will activate the tourism sector in the GCC nation and raise its revenues from Russian arrivals.
Russian tourists are also allowed to travel to the UAE without a prior visa.
The number of Russians who visited the UAE reached 579,608 in 2017, while the number of UAE tourists who visited Russia during 2016 stood at 1,085 visitors, according to the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Travelling to Russia is less in cost compared to other European countries, tourism expert Saeed Fayad told Mubasher.
Russia has a beautiful nature and historic places, especially in Saint Petersburg.
It is worth noting that the number of weekly flights between the two countries recorded 84, operated by UAE national carriers Etihad, Emirates and flydubai.
UAE carriers plan to increase the number of flights between both nations over the coming period.
Translated by: Kholoud Mohamed Hussein
