Abu Dhabi stands out as a best choice for long-haul Russian travellers, pushed by a big rise in seat availability for the second half of 2024. Insights from Mabrian, a part of The Knowledge Enchantment Firm, reveal the capital of UAE is amongst their prime selections in GCC locations, the place Russian guests are choosing luxurious lodging in stays that are typically prolonged, offering the Abu Dhabi with a singular alternative to boost its financial impression by focused advertising and strategic funding on this rising market.
In line with the Affiliation of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), Russian outbound journey elevated by 14% within the first half of 2024 in comparison with the identical interval in 2023, pushed by long-haul locations just like the United Arab Emirates. As per FSB Borders Service knowledge, practically 1,000,000 Russian travellers visited the UAE, an 11% improve from 2023, making it the second most visited nation by Russians.
This evaluation* explores Mabrian knowledge on demand traits amongst Russian travellers visiting Abu Dhabi, drawing on year-to-date knowledge and forecasts for 2024, masking connectivity, lodging preferences, size of keep, and spending habits. Alongside Dubai, Sharjah and Oman, Abu Dhabi is a key vacation spot within the UAE for Russian vacationers, a market that has considerably shifted its journey preferences over the previous 5 years.
Focusing in Abu Dhabi, as proven by Mabrian’s knowledge, Russia is the second European market rising essentially the most when it comes to seats availability of the second semester of 2024, as projected capability will improve 31.4%, in comparison with the identical interval in 2023. “This development displays additionally seasonal demand from this supply market”, says Carlos Cendra, associate and director of promoting and communication at Mabrian. “After a slight 2% lower in seat availability in the course of the first half of the yr, the market is rebounding as we strategy the European winter, when many Europeans search hotter locations.”.
Mabrian’s demand projections, primarily based on flight searches, point out that after a 52% improve in Russian guests to Abu Dhabi within the first half of 2024 (in comparison with the identical interval in 2023), the quantity is anticipated to rise by one other 53%, reaching roughly 50,000 travellers within the second half of the yr.
“Knowledge reveals that Russian demand for Abu Dhabi isn’t solely consolidating but additionally strengthening,” explains Cendra. “Understanding their preferences for long-haul journey and particular selections when visiting the UAE, and Abu Dhabi specifically, can result in longer stays and better spending, enhancing the return on funding from Abu Dhabi’s intensive promotional efforts in Russia.”
Resort luxurious lodging, Russians’ best choice in Abu Dhabi
The lodge and keep expertise are paramount for Russian travellers. As Mabrian’s knowledge reveals, they intention at prime quality and luxurious experiences, in lodges or famend world manufacturers, primarily in essentially the most coveted areas of town, corresponding to Corniche and its West finish, Al Ras Al Akhdar; in addition to Al Reem Island and Khalifa Metropolis.
In line with Mabrian’s perception, 28.9% of Russian travellers keep in 4-stars lodges, and 42.7% in 5-stars. This choice for 5-star lodges is 6.5 proportion factors larger than the typical for different travellers in Abu Dhabi.
Moreover, 90% of Russians visiting Abu Dhabi select lodge lodging, with practically one in 4 choosing resorts—a lodging phase with vital development potential amongst Russian vacationers, particularly contemplating the growing size of their stays.
General, Russian travellers’ stays in Abu Dhabi elevated by 57% in comparison with the identical interval in 2023, with the typical size of keep rising from 2.9 days in 2023 to three.4 days in 2024.
“The rise in Russian arrivals and their prolonged stays are key indicators that may assist maximize this market’s financial impression, in addition to to focus on Russian demand with a extra segmented strategy”, says a Mabrian’s spokesperson. That is key to leverage Russian travellers buy energy as, “in response to our knowledge, Russia ranks because the third-largest inbound market when it comes to common day by day spending in Abu Dhabi, and the highest market exterior of the Gulf Cooperation Council states”.
* Sources: Mabrian journey intelligence (by way of social listening), evaluation of 100 million Reserving.com critiques, seats availability and flights demand, and spending insights.
