Moscow welcomed 19.7 million visitors in January-September 2024
With rising Indian footfall, Moscow City Tourism Committee has enhanced its engagements with the Indian market and as part of its activities, it recently organised a visit to India, accompanied by numerous tourism stakeholders from the Russian capital.
On the occasion, it hosted a gala dinner which brought together more than 170 key partners including prominent associations like TIA, OTOAI, NIMA, MICE agencies as well as tour operators and travel agents, to celebrate the strengthening bond between India and the Russian capital.
On the occasion, Ivan Fetisov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Elena Remizova, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo in India and Director of the Russian House in New Delhi, and Evgeny Kozlov addressed the audience, emphasising India’s significance as a top focus market and highlighting the growing popularity of the hassle-free e-visa among Indian travellers, with over 61,000 visits, the Russian capital overall welcomed 19.7 million visitors, including 1.9 million foreign tourists, a 19 pc increase in the first nine months of 2024, compared to the previous year.
Evgeny Kozlov
“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, customised 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,” says Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.
“Moscow is a modern capital of business tourism, boasting world-class infrastructure, including cutting-edge congress and exhibition venues, over 22,000 dining establishments, and advanced technological services. The Moscow City Tourism Committee reaffirms its commitment to supporting the growth of India’s MICE industry and enhancing our bilateral relationship through continued engagements and partnerships,” adds Kozlov.
The event also highlighted the growing collaboration in tourism and business sectors, underscoring Moscow’s commitment to enhancing ties with India’s outbound tourism market. The initiative aligns with Moscow’s strategic focus on the MICE sector.
The event featured “Moscow Tea Time” followed by performances from the renowned ‘Rusy’ dance troupe, blending Russian folk songs with modern choreography to showcase Moscow’s rich cultural heritage.
The Moscow City Tourism Committee also finalised two significant agreements aimed at bolstering tourism cooperation with Indian partners. A cooperation agreement was signed with the Government of Maharashtra 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.
Additionally, Moscow delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thomas Cook India Group, focussing on promoting the city’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) potential among key stakeholders in the Indian travel industry.
“Moscow is a safe and culturally rich destination. With the simplified visa process, we expect a significant rise in travel interest from India to Moscow. We anticipate 2025 to be a successful year for India’s outbound travel market to this vibrant city, and at OTOAI, we look forward to fostering collaboration and supporting its growth,” says Himanshu Patil, President of OTOAI, who was also present on the occasion.
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