Bahraini Tourists Embrace Russia as a Popular Travel Destination

Bahrain’s Ambassador to Russia, Ahmed Al-Saati, highlighted the growing popularity of Russia among Arab and Gulf tourists, noting that more Bahrainis are visiting the country each year.

In an interview with Al-Ayam, Ambassador Al-Saati said that Russia has become an ideal destination for Arab travelers, thanks to direct flights, simplified visa procedures, safety, and respect for Arab culture. During the first three months of this year, around 25,000 Gulf tourists visited Russia.

“The Russian government has been preparing for three years to welcome tourists from around the world, including Arabs and Gulf citizens,” he said. “Visa facilitations, such as the introduction of electronic visas and exemptions for several Arab countries including Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, have made travel to Russia much easier.”

The ambassador explained that the emphasis on tourism promotion came after Western sanctions and economic pressures on Russia. Moscow sought to open up to international tourists, strengthen economic ties, and demonstrate that it remains an accessible and attractive destination.

According to Al-Saati, Gulf tourists began exploring Russia in larger numbers last year, particularly Moscow. In 2024, around 165,735 Gulf visitors traveled to Russia, including 8,172 Bahrainis. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, about 24,714 Gulf tourists visited Russia, among them roughly 1,096 Bahrainis.

Russia continues to position itself as a “friend of the Arabs” and a preferred travel destination for the Gulf region.