Mumbai, February 5, 2025: Moscow is strengthening its position as a top global travel destination, witnessing a remarkable surge in international tourist arrivals. In the first nine months of 2024, the Russian capital welcomed 19.7 million visitors, including 1.9 million foreign tourists, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. Notably, India has emerged as one of Moscow’s top two non-CIS inbound markets, with over 61,000 Indian travelers visiting during this period—surpassing the total number of Indian tourists in 2023.
Building on this momentum, Moscow made a strong impact at OTM 2025 in Mumbai (January 30 – February 1), captivating Indian travel industry professionals with its diverse tourism offerings. The Moscow City Tourism Committee presented an engaging showcase of the city’s cultural, leisure, and business tourism opportunities, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market.
Strategic Partnerships and Expanding Cooperation
“India remains a key market in Moscow’s tourism strategy, and we are pleased to see a steady rise in Indian visitors. Through strategic partnerships, customized travel experiences, and immersive initiatives, we look forward to welcoming more Indian travelers and offering them an unforgettable experience in our vibrant and historically rich city,” said Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.
To deepen its engagement with India, Moscow has actively participated in major events like SATTE 2024, the Meet Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition, and the Moscow International Film Festival (MIFW), where India played a significant role. Moscow’s presence at OTM 2025 further solidified its dedication to fostering ties with Indian travelers and tourism professionals.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Moscow City Tourism Committee signed two major agreements to boost tourism collaboration with Indian partners:
- Strategic Tourism Agreement with Maharashtra: Moscow formalized a cooperation agreement with the State of Maharashtra, India’s second most populous state. This partnership aims to enhance travel links between Moscow and Mumbai, fostering mutual tourism growth and cultural exchange.
- MoU with Thomas Cook India Group: A pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Thomas Cook India Group, the country’s largest tour operator. This collaboration focuses on developing tailor-made travel products for Indian tourists, facilitating knowledge exchange, and promoting Moscow’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism potential within the Indian travel industry.
Moscow’s Diverse Offerings Take Center Stage at OTM 2025
Moscow’s delegation at OTM 2025 featured key tourism stakeholders, including six leading tour operators (such as Tari Tour and FUN & SUN) and three premier hotels (including Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy and VEGA Hotel & Convention Center). The Moscow stand showcased exclusive tour packages, luxury accommodations, and curated travel experiences designed specifically for Indian tourists.
Throughout the event, over 2,000 business meetings and negotiations were conducted at the Moscow stand, fostering direct collaboration between Moscow’s tourism representatives and Indian counterparts. Experts highlighted flagship projects such as:
- Moscow Tea Time Project, reviving Moscow’s historic tea culture.
- Moscow Estates Festival, a cultural event attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.
- City of Discoveries, an educational tourism initiative.
- RUSSPASS, a digital travel planning service.
- Russian Holidays: From Moscow to Siberia, promoting joint tours to Moscow and the Tyumen region, gaining popularity among Indian travelers.
- Moscow+ Initiative, emphasizing interregional travel to enhance visitor experiences.
Key attractions such as VDNH Complex (a blend of Soviet-era architecture and modern interactive museums) and Moskino Cinema Park (a rising filming destination for Indian cinema) were also prominently featured. To provide a taste of Russian hospitality, visitors were treated to traditional Russian tea and delicacies as part of the Moscow Tea Time initiative.
Strengthening Business and Cultural Ties
Prior to OTM 2025, Moscow hosted a Business Mission on January 28, where 14 Moscow-based travel companies engaged with 109 foreign travel agencies. The mission resulted in establishing strong business contacts and conducting over 1,200 negotiations.
India remains a top priority market in Moscow’s tourism outreach strategy. The city actively participates in key Indian travel events such as BLTM, SATTE, OTM, and MILT Congress to deepen connections and gain insights into Indian traveler preferences. Business missions, familiarization trips, and B2B negotiations further strengthen these relationships, driving growth in both leisure and MICE tourism.
As Moscow continues to attract a growing number of Indian visitors, OTM 2025 served as a pivotal platform to showcase the city’s world-class attractions, business potential, and strategic initiatives aimed at expanding its footprint in India’s booming outbound travel market.
