Moscow Ambassador: The number of visitors from Bahrain to Russia will increase five-fold in 2024

Right-handed shape

• Moscow promotes its tourism sector in Bahrain with the participation of 83 companies and hotels
• Establishing 238,000 new hotel rooms that adopt “Halal” standards to attract Muslim tourists
• An upcoming tourism memorandum of understanding between Bahrain and Russia to enhance cooperation and investment
• Simplifying visa procedures and increasing direct flights stimulate mutual tourism
• Launching the “Muslim-Friendly Moscow Guide” and the metro map in Arabic to serve Gulf visitors
• The “Winter in Moscow” project turns the Russian capital into a global festive destination

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Alexei Skosyrev, revealed that the number of visitors to Bahrain to Russia increased five-fold during the year 2024 compared to the previous year, while the demand for tourism in Russia for the first quarter of this year witnessed an increase by another 50%. This came in a speech by Ambassador Skosyrev in a work mission organized by the Tourism Authority in the Russian capital in Bahrain to introduce citizens and residents to the tourism sector in Moscow as an ideal travel destination. And meetings, conferences and exhibitions tourism, in which more than 83 travel and hotel companies participated in Moscow.

The Russian ambassador welcomed the members of the mission, noting that Bahrain has become a true meeting place of cultures and a symbol of openness and innovation. He said: “This event represents a continuation of the constructive dialogue between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Bahrain, which this year celebrate the thirty-fifth anniversary of diplomatic relations. Cooperation between the two countries has grown over the years, including dialogue between the two leaderships, and cooperation in the fields of Investment, trade, and tourism, and tourism today is one of the most vital areas of our partnership.”

He added: “According to the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the number of visitors from Bahrain to Russia increased five-fold in 2024 compared to the previous year, and in the first quarter of 2025, it increased by another 50%. One of the main factors behind this success is the launch of direct Gulf Air charter flights from Manama to Sochi in June 2025, which facilitated travel between our two countries.”

238 thousand new hotel rooms in Russia

Ambassador Skosyrev confirmed that Russia is actively working to expand its tourism infrastructure, with 238,000 new hotel rooms planned, and more than 100 major projects under implementation in 38 regions, including ski resorts, theme parks and year-round coastal destinations. It has introduced halal standards targeting Muslim tourists, and the first hotels in Moscow, Sochi and Kazan have already received accreditation, while More than 100 other facilities are seeking this accreditation.

He pointed to the development of tourist itineraries and special materials that take into account the cultural preferences of Arab guests. To enhance this progress, the Russian side prepared a draft memorandum of understanding for tourism cooperation with Bahrain. The memorandum covers quality of service, investment, transportation and safety, and its signing is expected to increase mutual tourism flows by 20-30% in 2025-2026, while opening new job opportunities for both sides.

The Russian Ambassador concluded his speech by saying: “Moscow, which is showcasing its tourism potential today, is still a leading destination for culture, innovation and business, as it is a city where history meets modern life, and provides its visitors with the highest standards of comfort and safety. I am confident that the business mission will contribute to bringing together partners from Moscow and Bahrain, encouraging new ideas, and supporting the growth of tourism and economic cooperation between our two friendly countries. Thank you for your interest.

In his speech, the head of the Department of Cooperation with the Foreign Tourism Sector, Moscow City Tourism Committee, Muhammad Mezhiev, confirmed that the number of tourists arriving from Bahrain to Moscow is witnessing steady growth compared to the Gulf countries, and Moscow is now considered a new and popular tourist destination for travelers, and the numbers also reflect the growing interest of Bahraini visitors in the Russian capital. In 2024, 6.2 thousand people from Bahrain visited Moscow, 91% of them are for tourism purposes. One of the most important growth factors is the simplification of electronic visa procedures. In addition, the Russian President signed a decree extending the validity of the e-visa to 30 days, a major development that will make Moscow more accessible to Bahraini tourists. Seven direct flights per week operated by Gulf Air also contribute to attracting more visitors.

Launch of Moscow’s Muslim-friendly guide

Megeev reviewed the development of tourism infrastructure in Moscow to better serve travelers from the Gulf countries, as the city launched the “Moscow Muslim-Friendly Guide,” which provides information about Moscow tourist attractions, including tourist attractions, family activities, shopping centers, halal restaurants, and hotels. The guide is available in Arabic and English, in both digital and paper versions, and visitors can Obtain the guide from tourist information centers in Moscow, which offer multilingual support, including Arabic. To plan their trip, tourists can use the official online platform “Discover Moscow”.

In turn, Gulf Air’s Regional Director, Hussein Zaman, reviewed the company’s history and the global destinations it offers, noting that the national carrier operates daily flights to Moscow.

Moscow metro map in Arabic

The platform provides valuable information about entry procedures, city transportation, tourist attractions, itineraries, and events schedule. Travelers can also get inspiration for their visit through their official accounts on Snapchat and TikTok, while Moscow’s linguistic infrastructure is witnessing remarkable development, with more than 150 certified tour guides offering personal tours in English and Arabic in the city. The metro map has also been translated into Arabic, and Arabic menus are available in 35 restaurants.

Visitors from Bahrain to Moscow are mostly tourists between the ages of 25 and 44, who often travel with their families. Each visitor arrives accompanied by his wife and children. A typical flight from Bahrain takes about 12 days. Favorite activities for these travelers include entertainment, dining, and shopping. Moscow offers many fun activities – the city has more than 22,500 restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, and is the only city in the world that hosts 100-day festivals.

The city’s upcoming project “Winter in Moscow”, which begins on December 1, will transform the city’s streets into enchanting winter tales. The central city streets will be decorated with fir trees, colorful huts and light installations, flooding the city with a festive atmosphere. Visitors will enjoy colorful sites, vibrant cultural events, and unique opportunities to explore Russian winter traditions in a warm, homely atmosphere. The “Winter in Moscow” project takes place in multiple locations in the city, creating an unforgettable holiday experience.