India has emerged as the second-largest non-CIS country by tourist arrivals to Moscow, with 40,800 Indian visitors recorded in the first half of 2025 — a 40% increase over the same period last year.
According to the Moscow City Tourism Committee, the rise reflects both growing interest from Asian markets and Moscow’s expanding appeal as a global destination. Overall, more than half a million non-CIS travelers visited the Russian capital between January and June 2025, marking a 10% year-on-year increase.
The hospitality sector has mirrored this trend. Rosstat data shows a 14% rise in foreign hotel guests during the first seven months of 2025, with Indian travelers among the most active in the premium segment. The introduction of e-visas, processed fully online within four days, has significantly boosted accessibility for Indian tourists.
Cultural events such as the International Day of Yoga and Bharat Utsav under the “Summer in Moscow” initiative have also strengthened India–Russia cultural ties. “These events allow visitors to experience Moscow not only through its landmarks but also through its people and public spaces,” said H.E. Mr. Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of India to Russia.
Moscow continues to deepen engagement with India through its participation in major trade shows including OTM, SATTE, BLTM, and MILT Congress, as well as by hosting industry missions and familiarization trips. A major highlight was the OTOAI Convention 2025, the first ever held in Russia, attended by over 250 leading Indian travel professionals.
With 26 million total visitors in 2024 and plans to welcome up to six million international tourists annually by 2030, Moscow aims to strengthen its standing as a leading global travel destination — with India as a key growth market
