As world tourism rebounds rapidly in final couple of years, Moscow is making a concerted effort to place itself as a premier vacation spot for Indian travellers. With a 40 per cent year-on-year surge in Indian guests – totaling over 61,000 in simply the final 10 months – Russia’s capital metropolis is rolling out the pink carpet with tailor-made experiences, improved infrastructure and strategic partnerships. Throughout an interplay with ETTravelWorld, Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Workplace of the Mayor and Chairman of Moscow City Tourism Committee, revealed bold plans to capitalise on this rising market. The numbers communicate for themselves. The primary half of 2024 noticed a outstanding 1.5-fold improve in Indian travellers to Moscow in comparison with 2023, with 28,500 guests. Kozlov attributes this spike to Russia’s e-visa system launched in August 2023, calling it a “game-changer” for accessibility. “Whereas cultural and leisure tourism dominate, we’re seeing great potential in enterprise journey – about 30 per cent of Indian arrivals are for work, and 40 per cent of them return for holidays,” Kozlov famous. Enterprise vacationers, he added, spend 1.5 to 2 instances greater than leisure vacationers, making them a precedence phase. Moscow’s tourism economic system at the moment contributes 5 per cent to town’s GDP, however Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has set an bold goal of 8 per cent. “To realize this, we’re doubling down on high-value markets like India,” Kozlov stated. The town is especially eager on tapping into India’s burgeoning MICE and marriage ceremony tourism sectors. “We have hosted a number of giant Indian weddings not too long ago and have recognized over 20 heritage venues good for such occasions,” he revealed, mentioning palace-like estates in Moscow’s countryside that rival European castles.
Whereas the e-visa has helped, Kozlov acknowledged {that a} visa-free regime for teams – already obtainable to Chinese language and Iranian vacationers – can be a “quantum leap” for the Indian market. “Federal discussions are ongoing,” he stated, although he could not present a timeline.
Extra urgent is the cost hurdle. With worldwide playing cards like Visa/Mastercard non-functional, Kozlov admitted it is a “essential bottleneck.” Momentary options are rising: “A number of five-star resorts now supply ‘native playing cards’ the place friends deposit money upfront,” he defined. A federal “Vacationer Card” and BRICS Pay platform are in growth, however Kozlov urged persistence: “The answer will seemingly mix QR codes and digital wallets.”
Moscow is strengthening its tourism ties with India, specializing in the MICE sector to spice up enterprise and leisure journey. The introduction of the e-visa system has pushed a 1.5-fold improve in Indian guests to Moscow in 2024. Moscow will showcase its choices on the OTM Worldwide Tourism Exhibition in Mumbai, with a Moscow Enterprise Mission and reception deliberate forward.
Curated experiences for Indian travellers
Understanding that Indian vacationers have distinctive preferences, Moscow has launched a number of India-specific initiatives:
1. Indian Vibes’ Program: A digital information (coming to DiscoverMoscow.com by summer season 2025) itemizing Hindi-speaking workers, Indian eating places, and culturally related sights. At the moment obtainable in print at choose resorts.
2. Household-Pleasant Choices: Augmented actuality treasure hunts (just like the viral “Catch the Cartoon Hero” recreation in the course of the Winter Pageant) and literature-themed trails for teenagers.
3. Cinema Tourism: The brand new 1,000-hectare Moscow Cinema Park (opened 3 months in the past, already drawing 100,000 guests) is courting Bollywood producers with backed filming permits.
Connectivity and future plans
A serious constraint stays restricted air connectivity. At the moment, solely Aeroflot operates direct Delhi-Moscow flights (3 weekly). Kozlov made an open attraction: “We welcome Indian carriers to launch companies – the demand justifies it.” For now, he recommends routing by means of hubs like Abu Dhabi.
The Moscow Metropolis Tourism Committee is pulling out all stops for the Indian market. At journey commerce exhibition OTM in Mumbai, Moscow Tourism showcased new choices, preceded by a enterprise mission with 80 Indian tour operators. “Our aim is to cross 100,000 Indian guests yearly by 2026,” Kozlov acknowledged confidently.
With its mix of tsarist grandeur, Soviet nostalgia, and trendy luxuries – all more and more tailor-made to Indian tastes – Moscow is betting huge on changing into the subsequent hotspot for Indian globetrotters. The lacking items? Smoother funds and extra flights. As soon as these fall into place, town’s aspiration to hitch the ranks of Dubai and Singapore as a favoured Indian vacation spot would possibly properly turn into a actuality.
