Dubai Became Russia Yesterday

Russian Tourism in Dubai is in full swing. Russian visitors enjoy their holidays in many countries around the world. What about sanctions?

Dubai tourism is booming, with Russian visitors enjoying the UAE’s beaches, nightclubs, and American luxury hotels such as Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, or IHG.

Russian has become a prominent language in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Yesterday the Burj Khalifa skyscraper next to the busy Dubai Mall and its famous fountains was painted in the colors of the Russian flag to celebrate Russia Day in Dubai.

In February and August 2021, the Burj Khalifa was eliminated with the Ukrainian flag.

The Russian colors and playing of the Russian national anthem made Russian visitors feel at home yesterday on Russia Day. Some tears and pride were seen on the faces of some visitors from Russia.

In today’s time, where Russian visitors are no longer welcome in the European Union, the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia, and some other countries, the United Arab Emirates is the second largest holiday destination for Russians. NATO country Turkey is the number one travel holiday destination for Russians.

Top destinations for high-spending Russian visitors also include Abkhazia, Egypt, Thailand, Maldives, Israel, China, Serbia, Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and even Seychelles, among many other countries.

The war may have been the cause of economic sanctions, and visa restrictions, but the loss in earnings by Ukraine’s loyal countries is the gain for others. They take the mighty Russian Ruble straight to the bank.

Airfares from Russia to the world are expensive, but new routes and full flights show this cannot discourage.

President Vladimir Putin marked Russia’s National Day on Monday by appealing to Russians’ patriotic pride in what he said was a “difficult time” for the country.

“This public holiday marks the inseparability of our centuries-old history, the greatness and glory of the fatherland,” Putin told foreign dignitaries attending a lavish ceremony in the Kremlin.

The national holiday of the Russian Federation has been celebrated annually on 12 June since 1992. The day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

Tourism is an industry of peace and understanding. American and European-owned and managed hotels in countries like the United Arab Emirates are making good money from Russian visitors. This money will be repatriated eventually.

The “Scream for Ukraine campaign” initiated after the unprovoked war by Russia against Ukraine by the World Tourism Network was in support of Ukraine. The campaign called for a boycott of Russia in travel and tourism. It doesn’t appear this is working at this time.

If tourism is a business or even a custodian of peace, should tourism be encouraged regardless of country of nationality?

Tourism is a people business. Should conflicts initiated by aggressive governments punish citizens of that country?

This is a question World Tourism Network Executives are now discussing.

In the meantime, vodka is flowing, and Russian tourists are often partying like there was no tomorrow- the global travel and tourism industry is booming.