Moscow Strengthens Ties with India to Boost Tourism and MICE Engagement News January 28, 2025 | Press Release Moscow is solidifying its reputation as a top-tier destination for both leisure and business travellers, with India playing a pivotal role in the city’s tourism strategy. The Moscow City Tourism Committee is intensifying its collaboration with India’s outbound tourism sector, particularly targeting the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) segment. This move underscores Moscow’s commitment to fostering a robust partnership with Indian stakeholders to drive mutual growth in the travel and tourism sectors. Remarkable Growth in Indian Tourist Influx India’s contribution to Moscow’s tourism growth has been nothing short of significant. Following the global slowdown in 2020, Indian tourists have consistently ranked among the leading non-CIS visitors to Moscow. This momentum continued into 2024, with the first half of the year recording a remarkable 1.5-fold increase in Indian travellers compared to the same period in 2023. The total number of Indian visitors reached an impressive 28,500 during this period. A key enabler of this growth has been the introduction of an e-visa system in August 2023, which has simplified travel for Indian passport holders and bolstered MICE traffic between the two nations. Expanding Business Tourism Highlighting Moscow’s growing focus on business tourism, Mr. Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow and Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, emphasized its economic significance. “While most tourists visit Moscow for cultural, educational, and entertainment purposes, the city has also been focusing on expanding business tourism, which is now a significant contributor to the local economy. By 2030, the number of foreign tourists is expected to reach 6 million people, driven by travellers from the CIS countries, the Asia-Pacific region, India, the Middle East, and beyond,” he stated. Spotlight on Moscow at OTM Mumbai 2025 In a bid to further strengthen ties with India, Moscow is set to take center stage at the OTM International Tourism Exhibition in Mumbai from January 30 to February 1, 2025. Over three days, Moscow will showcase its rich cultural heritage, vibrant leisure activities, and world-class business tourism facilities to Indian audiences. Preceding the exhibition, the Moscow Business Mission will convene on January 28, bringing together prominent representatives from Moscow’s tourism sector and around 80 Indian tour operators and industry leaders. This initiative aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration to enhance tourism flows between the two regions. Additionally, a reception hosted by the Moscow City Tourism Committee on January 29 will welcome key Indian partners. Distinguished guests at the event include Ivan Fetisov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Victor Gorelykh, Director of the Russian House in Mumbai, and Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. Moscow’s Vision for Tourism Growth Moscow’s efforts to attract Indian tourists align with its broader vision of achieving a diversified and inclusive tourism economy. With its seamless blend of historical charm, modern infrastructure, and expanding opportunities in the MICE sector, Moscow is poised to become a preferred destination for Indian travellers seeking unique cultural experiences and business opportunities. The city’s participation in OTM Mumbai 2025 marks another significant step in strengthening its ties with India, paving the way for a future of collaborative growth and mutual success in the tourism sector. Share this:FacebookX