Moscow continues to reinforce its status as a premier travel destination, experiencing a substantial rise in international tourist arrivals. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, the Russian capital welcomed 19.7 million visitors, including 1.9 million foreign tourists — a 19% increase compared to the previous year. India has emerged as one of Moscow’s top two non-CIS inbound tourism markets, with over 61,000 Indian travelers visiting the city during this period.
Building on this momentum, Moscow made a strong impression at OTM 2025, held in Mumbai from January 30 to February 1, by captivating the Indian travel trade industry with its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings. The Moscow City Tourism Committee presented an engaging showcase of the city’s cultural, leisure, and business tourism opportunities, emphasizing its partiality towards the Indian market.
“India remains a key market for Moscow’s tourism strategy, and we are pleased to see a steady increase in Indian visitors to our city. Through strategic partnerships, customized travel experiences, and immersive initiatives, we look forward to welcoming more Indian tourists and providing them with an unforgettable experience in our vibrant and historically rich city,” stated Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Moscow City Tourism Committee finalized two significant agreements aimed at bolstering tourism cooperation with Indian partners. A landmark cooperation agreement was signed with the State of Maharashtra, India’s second most populous and third-largest state. This strategic partnership is designed to foster mutual growth and promote tourism between Moscow and Maharashtra, with a special emphasis on enhancing travel links between the Russian capital and Mumbai.
In addition, the Moscow delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thomas Cook India Group, the country’s largest tour operator. This pivotal agreement marks the beginning of collaborative effort to develop tailored travel products for Indian tourists, facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices, and increase awareness of Moscow’s diverse tourism offerings. Special focus will be placed on promoting the city’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) potential among key stakeholders in the Indian travel industry.
Ahead of OTM 2025, Moscow hosted a Business Mission on January 28, bringing together 14 Moscow-based travel companies and 109 foreign travel agencies. As a result, business contacts were established and more than 1,200 negotiations were held.
India remains a priority market in Moscow’s tourism outreach strategy. With strong cultural, strategic, and economic partnerships, Moscow actively participates in key Indian travel events such as BLTM, SATTE, OTM, and MILT Congress to deepen ties and gain insights into Indian traveler preferences. Business missions, familiarization trips, and B2B negotiations further strengthen these connections, fostering growth in both leisure and MICE tourism.
As Moscow continues to attract a growing number of Indian visitors, OTM 2025 presented an exceptional opportunity to explore the city’s world-class attractions, business potential, and strategic initiatives.
