This Is Why Wealthy Russians And Indians Are Travelling To Dubai Instead Of Goa

Dubai instead of Goa has become the first preference of high-spending Russian tourists when it comes to holidays, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte told the state assembly on Friday. Khaunte stressed the need to understand the changing trends in outbound tourism and learn from successful markets such as the United States, United Arab Emirates, Germany, South Korea, and Japan, where outbound tourism is flourishing.

Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte recently highlighted the decline in the number of affluent Russian travellers who are choosing Dubai over the beautiful beaches of Goa. Expressing the need to investigate why high-spending people from India and Russia are opting for Dubai instead, Khaunte stressed that a significant part of Goa's tourism sector comes from Russians for international arrivals and depends on the British markets.

He pointed out that Goa should follow the examples set by destinations like Saudi Arabia, which have seen growth through new tourism services and projects. Khaunte expressed concern over the decline in high-spending Russian tourists visiting Goa, saying they now prefer destinations like Dubai.

In an effort to understand this shift in travel preferences, We spoke with Badr Ali Habib, Head of South Asia Region at Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Habib's immediate response highlighted the multi-faceted reasons behind this trend. He acknowledged that affluent Russians and Indians are increasingly attracted to Dubai due to various factors, including dynamic international affairs and growing preferences and travel habits among Russians. These influences collectively subside, making Dubai a preferred destination for them.

Highlighting the changes from the pre-pandemic period in 2019 to the first seven months of 2023, Habib revealed an impressive 80% increase in Russian travelers visiting Dubai. He underlined the fact that Russia has emerged as an important source market for Dubai's thriving tourism industry. Habib expressed DET's unwavering commitment to strengthening Dubai's position as a leading global tourism destination and commercial hub that resonates with diverse audiences around the world.

Since the pandemic, Dubai has seen a steady increase in Russian arrivals, and several initiatives have been taken to facilitate travel, such as visa-on-arrival and direct flights. "Russians are avowed a first-time entry visa for 30 days upon arrival at all entry points to the UAE and are renewable for a one-time period of 30 days only in accordance with UAE regulations," he said.

From before the pandemic (2019) to the first seven months of 2023, we saw an 80% increase in inbound Russian travellers.

This substantial growth, which represents an increase of 23% from 2019, can be attributed to the strategic initiatives implemented by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai, to position Dubai as the ultimate choice for Indian travellers.

The shared cultural similarities between Dubai and India have proven to be a key factor in creating unforgettable experiences and promoting repeat travel from India. As the trajectory indicates, this trend is set to persist and become a permanent feature of the tourism landscape.

From before the pandemic (2019) to the first seven months of 2023, we saw an 80% increase in inbound Russian travelers,” says Badr Ali Habib, head of the South Asia region of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

DET has organized business-to-business (B2B) travel trade activities, including road shows, mega introduction trips, and trade workshops, to promote continued growth, supported by Dubai's exceptional flight connectivity and the convenience of a convenient visa application process, have been helpful.

For Indian travellers, Dubai is a short-distance holiday and stopover destination. It is well connected to major metros and Tier 2 cities in India, which proves to be a game-changer for leisure travel throughout the year. Due to its proximity to India (direct flight connectivity of three to five hours), Dubai remains one of the top leisure and business destinations for Indians. Additionally, we have direct flights from 23 cities in India, making it the highest number for any destination in the world.

Dubai has relaxed e-Visa rules to attract more tourists, especially from India. Indian nationals holding an ordinary passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and a US-issued visit visa or green card, valid for at least six months, or UK or EU residence can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days for a fee of AED120 (approx.). They can apply to extend their stay for an additional 14 days for a fee of AED 250 (approximately Rs 5,670).

Additionally, Dubai exempts children under 12 from visas throughout the year under its Kids Go Free program. It allows Indian families to travel with ease, experience the unique attractions of tourists to Dubai, and create lifelong memories.