There is confusion in the UAE. Yesterday it was announced that Ukrainian visitors now need visas, today this was rolled back to visa-free according to Politico, but this is not clear.
Russian tourism to the UAE, Turkey, Maldives, Egypt, Tunisia, Belarus, and Armenia are counting profits. A record increase in Russian visitors is expected despite economic sanctions.
While EU countries are facing their biggest crisis in regards to refugees yet, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian citizens are arriving in never-seen-before numbers in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and other European Union countries. So far over 1 million have fled the war-torn country. Refugees are not seen as a burden but are welcomed and being taken care of.
Busloads of Ukrainian refugees are being taken to other EU countries, such as Germany. While most EU citizens enjoy VISA waiver status with the United States, the US remains closed to Ukrainians unless they apply for Visas in advance at the US embassy in Ukraine.
Yesterday, the United Arab Emirates temporarily suspended a visa waiver for Ukrainian citizens. Russian citizens, however, are welcome to arrive without a visa in the UAE and can spend money in 5-star Dubai and Abu Dhabi hotels.
Both Emirates and Fly Dubai are operating flights to Moscow and Russian cities at full capacity.
The UAE did not provide a reason for the now-retracted announcement, and Emirati authorities did not respond to a request for comment by the media. According to Reuters, the visa regulation for Ukrainians is still in place. According to Politico this was overturned.
While most of the world is condemning the unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine, with Europe rising up in support of Ukraine, other countries who may have a loud voice, are turning away when it comes to helping ordinary citizens affected by this senseless war.
The good news for tourism is that according to Russian sources, an increase in travel by Russians to the UAE is expected. According to Moscow airport PR, flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Istanbul, Antalya, Male, Cairo, Hurgada, Tunis, and Sharm El Sheikh are expected to be full starting this month.
IHE Ị GA-Ewepụ na edemede a:
- While most of the world is condemning the unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine, with Europe rising up in support of Ukraine, other countries who may have a loud voice, are turning away when it comes to helping ordinary citizens affected by this senseless war.
- While most EU citizens enjoy VISA waiver status with the United States, the US remains closed to Ukrainians unless they apply for Visas in advance at the US embassy in Ukraine.
- While EU countries are facing their biggest crisis in regards to refugees yet, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian citizens are arriving in never-seen-before numbers in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and other European Union countries.
