Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) will host 74 participants from the emirate at an upcoming tourism fair in Moscow.

The Moscow Tourism Fair Leisure 2012 is set to be held at the International Exhibition Centre "Crocus Expo" in the Russian capital from September 19 to 22. This is the 20th year in a row that DTCM is participating the fair.

Leisure is the largest international autumn trade fair for tourism in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for sealing tourist deals, and according to an independent survey the number one platform to conclude business. Russia is one of the key tourist markets worldwide with 19 million annual travelers to all parts of the world.

The 400 sq m DTCM pavilion will host participants from tourism sector in the emirate, including hotel facilities and tour operators, as well as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

DTCM has opened a representative office in Moscow many years ago to promote Dubai in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Dubai recorded more than 183,000 Russian hotel guests in 2009, marking a significant over the past years.

The number further grew in 2010 to 209,381 - an increase of 14 per cent, and rose again in 2011 to 255,746 – a rise of 22 per cent.

Likewise, the number of hotel guests in Dubai from Russia, the Baltic States, and the CIS hit 388,386 in 2009 as compared to 443,363 in 2010 - a rise of 14 per cent. A 15 per cent jump was further recorded in 2011 with 510,852.

The number of Russian passengers traveling through the Dubai International Airport amounted to 527,524 in 2009 against 670,038 in 2010, representing an increase of 27 per cent. The number shot up again in 2011 and witnessed 890,140 passengers - an increase of 33 per cent.

The number of tourist companies featuring Dubai in Russia, the Baltic States and the Commonwealth of Independent States reached 1,080 in 2011 against 602 in 2010, an increase of 79 per cent.

Meanwhile, DTCM held a pre fair meeting for the participants, who were briefed on the DTCM’s efforts in the fair. – TradeArabia News Service