HIGH-END TRAVEL: Moscow Positions itself as a Rising MICE and Luxury Destination for GCC Markets

Emirates Reporter
5 Min Read
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Dubai,UAE- The Moscow City Tourism Committee has been confirmed as a Destination Partner for the 14th Annual Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress 2026, organised by QnA International, taking place on 11–12 February 2026 at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Now in its 14th year, MALT Congress is an invitation-only, outcome-driven business platform that brings together senior decision-makers shaping the future of global corporate, luxury, and MICE travel. Attracting a carefully curated mix of leaders from travel agencies, private luxury travel design houses, and corporates, including Founders, CEOs, Managing Directors, SVPs, and Heads of MICE, Travel, Protocol, Procurement, Marketing, HR, Events, and Corporate Administration, the Congress is designed for precision engagement rather than visibility. It connects these influential Middle East buyers with global destinations, luxury hotels, DMCs, and travel technology providers through a structured programme of pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings, strategic panel discussions, and curated networking.

Commenting on the upcoming congress, Sidh NC, Co-Founder and Managing Director of QnA International, organisers of MALT Congress, said: “Over the years, MALT has evolved into a highly focused platform where meaningful partnerships are formed, and long-term commercial outcomes are created. The continued participation of destinations such as Moscow reflects the growing importance of curated, high-level engagement between the Middle East and global travel leaders.”

The Middle East remains a key growth market for Moscow, with increasing interest across leisure, luxury, and business travel segments. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, Moscow welcomed 43,700 travellers from Saudi Arabia, representing an 18% year-on-year increase.

Maya Anurova

“The Middle East is a key partner for Moscow in terms of tourism, and we see growing interest in Moscow from Middle East guests,” said Maya Anurova, Head of Business Tourism Development Department, Moscow City Tourism Committee. “MALT plays a key role as a premier platform connecting Middle Eastern buyers with global destinations, aligning perfectly with Moscow City Tourism Committee’s focus on expanding luxury and MICE tourism from GCC markets.”

At MALT 2026, the Moscow City Tourism Committee will participate in the panel discussion ‘Smart travel for multi-gen world’, sharing insights into the city’s approach to personalising travel propositions for a wide range of visitor profiles.

“Moscow is a city that can offer a unique experience to every tourist,” Anurova said. “It’s hospitality and high quality of service impress even the most sophisticated visitors, while the ability to combine a cultural program with the wow-effect of business events and the city’s convenient infrastructure attracts business tourists.”

The Committee’s long-term collaboration with MALT has played a central role in strengthening Moscow’s engagement with influential GCC buyers and senior decision-makers.

“Our collaboration with MALT provides Moscow with direct access to influential GCC buyers and key decision-makers, significantly enhancing our engagement with travel industry stakeholders in the region,” Anurova added. “Building strong partnerships based on trust is fundamental for success in the MICE sector.”

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Moscow will also spotlight its strengths in responding to the global shift towards bleisure travel, leveraging more than 150 unique and non-traditional venues, including museums, historical estates, theatres, and urban landmarks.

“An obvious trend is the global shift towards bleisure,” Anurova said. “Business trips increasingly combine meetings with cultural, gastronomic, and entertainment experiences, and here Moscow excels as a destination.”

Attendees can also expect insights into Moscow’s expertise in hosting large-scale international events, including learnings from its flagship Meet Global MICE Congress (MGMC), one of the world’s largest MICE platforms, which welcomed over 2,500 professionals in 2025.

“We are ready to share exactly such insights — the practical elements behind our success in hosting large-scale, multicultural events,” Anurova said.

Looking ahead, the Moscow City Tourism Committee views MALT as a long-term platform for deeper collaboration with the GCC region.

“We view MALT as a key long-term platform for dialogue with the GCC region,” Anurova concluded. “Our goal is to strengthen our position as a leading global hub for international meetings and professional dialogue, contributing to the industry’s growth through practical collaboration and the exchange of expertise.”

SOURCE: MEDIA RELEASE

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