Moscow to have big presence at ATM

Moscow, which saw tourism numbers jump to a record 23.5 million visitors in 2018, will showcase its wide range of attarctions at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai.

 

The total volume of tourist consumption and turnover of festivals reached $13 billion last year, said a statement.

 

The Russian capital’s unique blend of heritage sites and modern attractions is proving an irresistible combination. Compared to 2010 (12.8 million visitors), the number of tourists to the city has increased 84 per cent, said a statement.

 

The successful hosting of the Fifa World Cup last year – which attracted 4.5 million tourists and was recognised as the best ever by the Fifa Council – is part of the city’s long-term strategy to increase tourist numbers.

 

The Moscow City Tourism Committee – the official body promoting the city as a tourist destination – will be out in force at this month’s Arabian Travel Market (April 28-May 1) in Dubai. 

 

Moscow City Tourism Committee sees tremendous interest in Moscow from international markets. The interest is boosted in the Middle East by the reciprocal visa-free travel between Russia and UAE and the increasing Gulf airlines’ capacity, it said. 

 

Moscow has a wide palette of festivals, sports and cultural life, new public spaces, safe environment and unique atmosphere enjoyed by millions.

 

Alongside its broad range of cultural attractions, the committee will be promoting its dynamic hotel industry. This year Moscow is scheduled to put 17 new hotels into service, four times more than in 2018.

 

Gastronomy is becoming a new key driver with international visitors finding traditional and contemporary dishes to remind them of home. In Moscow there are about 12,000 cafés and restaurants, twice more than 10 years ago.

 

The city is covered with food halls, both in the centre and the outskirts, and foodies flock to Danilovskiy and Central Markets and Depo, the biggest food hall in Europe. Located on Belorusskaya train station, the 11,000-sq-m facility contains a wealth of independent restaurants and street food-style eateries.

 

Moscow is also proud to be home to a new and unique format of city leisure – a cycle of urban street events such as festivals, exhibitions, public holidays and celebrations as well as other cultural, sporting and gastronomic events called ‘Moscow Seasons’. Every day and whatever the weather, whole array of entertaining activities awaits Muscovites and tourists – and about 65 million people attended the Moscow Seasons festivals in 2018.

 

Moscow’s World Heritage and iconic sites don’t need introduction: The Kremlin, Bolshoi Theater, Red Square and Novodevichy Convent among the most popular attractions. Landscapes parks, gardens, squares and other public spaces are the new hallmarks of the city. Among them, ‘Zaryadye’ – the most modern park of the capital and one of the main attractions of the renewed Moscow. 

 

Moscow City Tourism Committee is on stand EU5830 at the Arabian Travel Market. -TradeArabia News Service