"Northern Capital Gateway" together with the tour operator "Intourist" organized a familiarization tour for tour operators from the Middle East. Fam trip was held as part of the project to develop inbound tourism to the Northern Capital. 11 tour companies that actively sell tours to St. Petersburg in the Persian Gulf countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, arrived in the city. The guests were shown the Northern Capital from different sides.

The cultural program included both traditional museum visits and sports activities outside the city. 

“We wanted to show the diversity of St. Petersburg’s tourism product,” noted Olga Kaya, project manager for the Northern Capital Gateway company (Pulkovo Airport). 

Pulkovo Airport is working to attract foreign tourists, mainly from the Persian Gulf countries, India and China. According to the airport's estimates, the potential for passenger traffic with these countries is 5.1 million passengers per year, of which 1.9 million are from the Persian Gulf countries. 

"We are focusing on three countries from which we expect direct flights to begin. The highest potential now is Saudi Arabia, as the largest in terms of population, Kuwait and Oman. We are currently working closely with these countries," the expert said. 

The event was supported by the hotels Corinthia St. Petersburg, Grand Hotel Europe, Astoria, Four Seasons Lion Palace St. Petersburg, Cosmos Selection Nevsky Royal Hotel and GORKI Golf Club.