Indian Tourism to Moscow Soars: 61,000 Visitors in Just Nine Months of 2024, Surpassing All of 2023

Indian Tourism Boom in Moscow

Moscow is reinforcing its status as a leading travel hub, increasing international tourist visits. In the first three quarters of 2024, the Russian capital received 19.7 million visitors, among them 1.9 million foreign tourists, a 19% increase from last year. India has become one of Moscow’s two biggest non-CIS tourism markets, with more than 61,000 Indian tourists arriving in the city during this timeframe.

Building on this positive trend, Moscow made a significant impression at OTM 2025, held in Mumbai from January 30 to February 1. The city’s rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings captured the Indian travel trade. The Moscow City Tourism Committee conducted an engaging presentation showcasing the city’s cultural, leisure, and business tourism opportunities, highlighting a strong interest in the Indian market.

“India is a crucial market for Moscow’s tourism strategy, and we are excited to see a steady rise in Indian visitors to our city. Through strategic partnerships, personalized travel experiences, and immersive initiatives, we aim to welcome even more Indian tourists and provide 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, and Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.

At the exhibition’s side events, the Moscow City Tourism Committee finalized two major agreements to enhance 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 aims to foster mutual growth and promote tourism between Moscow and Maharashtra, particularly in strengthening travel connections between Moscow and Mumbai.

Additionally, the Moscow delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thomas Cook India Group, the country’s leading tour operator. This significant agreement initiates collaborative efforts to create customized travel products for Indian tourists, promote the exchange of expertise and best practices, and raise awareness of Moscow’s diverse tourism offerings. Special attention will be given to highlighting the city’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) potential among key stakeholders in the Indian travel industry.

Before OTM 2025, Moscow hosted a Business Mission on January 28, bringing together 14 Moscow travel companies and 109 foreign travel agencies. This event successfully established business contacts and facilitated over 1,200 negotiations.

India continues to be a priority market in Moscow’s tourism outreach strategy. With strong cultural, strategic, and economic ties to India, Moscow actively participates in major Indian travel events such as BLTM, SATTE, OTM, and MILT Congress to strengthen connections and better understand Indian travellers’ preferences. Business missions, familiarization trips, and B2B negotiations further reinforce these connections, fostering leisure and MICE tourism growth.

As Moscow attracts increasing Indian visitors, OTM 2025 provided an exceptional opportunity to showcase the city’s world-class attractions, business potential, and strategic initiatives.