The number of tourists to Moscow from India is expected to see an increase of at least 30 percent, following the consultations between India and Russia to finalize criteria under a bilateral agreement that will begin in June.
The new visa-free group travel agreement is expected to be reached by the end of this year, which means that Indian tourists can soon travel to Russia without a visa, VisaGuide.World reports.
Russia to Further Facilitate Entry for Indian Visitors by Creating Virtual Cards
According to the first deputy head of the office of the mayor and the government of Moscow, Evgeny Kozlov, Russian federal officials are also working on a project to enable virtual cards for Indian travelers while they are in India before coming to Russia and should be activated by the end of this year.
The issue of non-cash payments for travellers in Russia is a key point for our federal government. My federal partners are working on a project to enable virtual cards for Indian travellers while they are in India before coming to Russia.
Last year, more than 60,000 travelers visited Moscow from India. This figure represents a quarter more compared to 2022. During the same period, in total, 2.3 million foreign tourists visited the city, making it one of the “top leaders” in terms of tourist flow for 2023.
Moscow Wants to Attract Foreign Tourists as It Develops the City, Especially Indian Ones
Kozlov said that Indians are among the leading foreign tourists that Moscow wants to attract more. In a move to attract these tourists, he further revealed that the country is working to support growth, developing the city in several areas, especially promoting event tourism.
During the seasonal festivals, Moscow hosts many visitors, and thus, the Moscow Tourism Development Program until 2030 foresees the further development of cultural and entertainment tourism.
7.3 Million Guests Expected to Visit Moscow Due to Tourist Events
Experts forecast that about 7.3 million guests will be attracted to Moscow by event tourism, and we expect Moreover, Kozlov further said that he hopes for more direct flights, not only from Delhi but also from other Indian cities, as this will also increase the number of tourists coming from both sides.
More than ten weekly flights connect India and Moscow, including the Russian airline Aeroflot with its direct flight from New Delhi. However, there are no direct flights to Moscow from Indian Airlines.
Currently, Moscow’s accommodation facilities can accommodate 46 million tourists per year. Kozlov said that by 2030, Moscow plans to increase its hotel room stock by 25,700 rooms.