The Russian capital, Moscow, is becoming a hot spot for travellers from the UAE. Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, confirmed a significant jump in visitors from the UAE, with 62,100 arrivals in 2024, a sharp increase from 18,000 in 2019. He highlighted Moscow’s efforts to make UAE and Gulf visitors feel especially welcome.

Tailored for Comfort: Halal Food and Arabic Services

Moscow understands the needs of its diverse visitors. Kozlov noted the abundance of halal restaurants across the city, making dining easy for Muslim travellers. To further enhance comfort, Arabic-speaking services are readily available. 

Five new tourist information centres have opened, including key locations in the city centre, at river stations, and even at Dream Island amusement park, where specialists offer support in both English and Arabic. A new centre with banking services even provides a special “Tourist card.”

To top it off, a “Muslim-Friendly Guide to Moscow” was launched in 2024. This comprehensive guide, designed for Middle Eastern travellers, offers recommendations on halal restaurants, hotels, popular activities for both winter and summer, famous sights, parks, and shopping areas.

Easier Entry and Endless Attractions

Getting to Moscow has also become simpler thanks to electronic visas (e-visas), making travel more convenient and accessible for many nationalities.

Once there, visitors can dive into Moscow’s rich offerings:

• Vibrant Summer Festivals: Moscow is currently buzzing with festivals. The Moscow Estates Festival offers immersive programs at over 40 historic locations. Theatre Boulevard is hosting a record 600 performances by 3,000 artists across 14 outdoor venues for 92 days straight! The Gardens and Flowers Festival is transforming city spaces with stunning floral displays, while “Street. Dance and Street. Art” projects bring open-air dancing, music, and art sessions to central Moscow with free workshops.
• Iconic Landmarks: No visit to Moscow is complete without seeing the Kremlin, Red Square, and Alexander Garden. Culture lovers can enjoy the Bolshoi Theatre, and film enthusiasts can explore the Moskino Film Park. For modern marvels, Moscow City’s skyscrapers offer one of Europe’s highest observation decks.
• Unique Shopping: Explore 14 “Made in Moscow” art pavilions for locally crafted souvenirs, or visit the Green Market featuring over 700 top brands from the “Made in Moscow” initiative.
• Green City Living: Moscow prides itself on being one of the greenest megacities, boasting over 140 parks and natural reserves like Zaryadye Park and Gorky Park, which blend ecological design with public spaces. The city is also committed to sustainability with smart lighting and eco-friendly transport.

Kozlov reaffirmed Moscow’s dedication to providing a welcoming, comfortable, and modern tourism experience for travellers from around the globe. The city is rolling out the red carpet, particularly for its growing number of guests from the UAE.

(Source: Wam)