Dubai is the most favoured holiday destination of Russians, according to a new study. The research also shows most Russian visitors prefer to stay in hotels near beaches or shopping areas, and tend to choose well-established brands. The findings are based on personal interviews with senior executives of 17 five-star hotels in the emirate. They were conducted by Hayk Mkhitaryan, an MBA student at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality. Traditionally, Dubai has been a very popular destination for Russian visitors, but the falling rouble has hit tourist numbers this year.