India Climbs to No.2 Spot in Moscow Tourism Rankings

Indian travel to Moscow surged in early 2025, with 40,800 visitors in the first half of the year—a 40% rise year-on-year—making India the second-largest non-CIS source market. E-visas and an expanded cultural calendar helped lift demand, as the city deepened engagement with India’s travel trade and audiences.

Surge in Arrivals and Hotel Trends

Between January and June 2025, Moscow welcomed over half a million visitors from outside the CIS, up 10% from 2024. Hotel metrics mirrored the influx: Rosstat reported a 14% increase in foreign hotel guests in the first seven months of 2025 versus the prior year. The Moscow City Tourism Committee attributes the gains to rising Asian interest and the capital’s positioning as a global events city.

Access and Experiences: E-Visas and Festivals

E-visa processing streamlined trips, with online approvals in about four days and no invitation or hotel confirmation required. Programming under the “Summer in Moscow” project amplified appeal. Flagship experiences included the International Day of Yoga and Bharat Utsav (Festival of India in Moscow), which drew crowds to public spaces and parks and showcased people-to-people connections.

India-Focused Outreach and Trade Partnerships

Moscow launched the “Indian Vibes in Moscow” guide to spotlight India-relevant hotels, dining and landmarks. The city intensified B2B activity at OTM, SATTE, BLTM and MILT Congress, ran familiarisation trips, and hosted the OTOAI Convention 2025—the first in Russia—welcoming 250+ Indian tour operators, media and professionals for on-ground product immersion.

Exam Oriented Facts

• H1 2025: 40,800 Indian visitors to Moscow, +40% year-on-year.
• Non-CIS arrivals topped 500,000 in H1 2025, +10% year-on-year.
• Foreign hotel guests in Moscow rose 14% in Jan–Jul 2025 (Rosstat).
• E-visa enables online application in ~4 days with simplified requirements.

Outlook and 2030 Targets

Moscow aims to keep momentum through high-level MICE events, including the Meet Global MICE Congress 2025, and sustained trade engagement. The city recorded 26 million total visitors in 2024, generating 235 billion roubles (about $2.65 billion). By 2030, Moscow targets up to six million international tourists annually, with continued growth led by India, China, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.