Last night, the first charter flight from Bahrain landed in Sochi. Arab tourists will enjoy a week-long excursion program, with plans for longer tours including visits to Moscow.
From June 10, Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air, in collaboration with the tour operator "Svoy TS," began charter flights from Manama to Russia. The program is aimed at attracting tourists from the Gulf countries, offering trips to Sochi and promoting the resort as a new destination for inbound tourism.
Sergey Voitovich noted that such flights had not been operated before. Tours have been developed for both vacations in Sochi and combinations with Moscow.
"The first flight was fully booked. 165 tourists arrived, 30% from Bahrain and the rest from Saudi Arabia, who traditionally prefer to fly abroad from Bahrain," he clarified.
The inaugural Gulf Air flight from Manama to Sochi was greeted with a ceremonial water arch. Tourists were welcomed by representatives of the tour operator, the Sochi administration, the airport management, and Cossacks with songs and bread and salt.
Guests were offered the opportunity to take memorable photos, taste local Kuban delicacies, and were presented with souvenir gingerbread cookies featuring the Sochi airport and Gulf Air logos.
"Tourists from Arab countries are mostly young families who are very curious. We have prepared an extensive program: a sightseeing tour of the resort city, a trip to Mount Akhun, visits to tea plantations, the Skypark, a sea cruise on a catamaran, and a mountain ascent. At the Rosa Khutor resort, guests will see the 'My Russia' exhibition, showcasing 11 architectural models of various regions of Russia, and learn about the traditions and cuisine of different ethnic groups. Additionally, the program includes mandatory shopping, as Arab tourists love to bring gifts home and often take an empty suitcase for this purpose," the spokesperson explained.
Flights between Manama and Sochi will be operated once a week on Mondays for now. The tour operator already has many groups booked for longer tours including visits to Moscow. Tourists spend a few days in Moscow, then fly to Sochi with Ural Airlines, spend a week there, and then return home. Some arrive in Sochi first, then go to Moscow and fly back from there. Unlike European tourists who typically travel for 8 days/7 nights, Arab tourists tend to choose longer trips.
From June 10, Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air, in collaboration with the tour operator "Svoy TS," began charter flights from Manama to Russia. The program is aimed at attracting tourists from the Gulf countries, offering trips to Sochi and promoting the resort as a new destination for inbound tourism.
Sergey Voitovich noted that such flights had not been operated before. Tours have been developed for both vacations in Sochi and combinations with Moscow.
"The first flight was fully booked. 165 tourists arrived, 30% from Bahrain and the rest from Saudi Arabia, who traditionally prefer to fly abroad from Bahrain," he clarified.
The inaugural Gulf Air flight from Manama to Sochi was greeted with a ceremonial water arch. Tourists were welcomed by representatives of the tour operator, the Sochi administration, the airport management, and Cossacks with songs and bread and salt.
Guests were offered the opportunity to take memorable photos, taste local Kuban delicacies, and were presented with souvenir gingerbread cookies featuring the Sochi airport and Gulf Air logos.
"Tourists from Arab countries are mostly young families who are very curious. We have prepared an extensive program: a sightseeing tour of the resort city, a trip to Mount Akhun, visits to tea plantations, the Skypark, a sea cruise on a catamaran, and a mountain ascent. At the Rosa Khutor resort, guests will see the 'My Russia' exhibition, showcasing 11 architectural models of various regions of Russia, and learn about the traditions and cuisine of different ethnic groups. Additionally, the program includes mandatory shopping, as Arab tourists love to bring gifts home and often take an empty suitcase for this purpose," the spokesperson explained.
Flights between Manama and Sochi will be operated once a week on Mondays for now. The tour operator already has many groups booked for longer tours including visits to Moscow. Tourists spend a few days in Moscow, then fly to Sochi with Ural Airlines, spend a week there, and then return home. Some arrive in Sochi first, then go to Moscow and fly back from there. Unlike European tourists who typically travel for 8 days/7 nights, Arab tourists tend to choose longer trips.