Moscow welcomed nearly 41,000 tourists from India in the first half of 2025, marking an impressive 40% rise compared to the same period in 2024. India has now become the second-largest source of visitors to Moscow among non-CIS countries. Between January and June 2025, more than half a million travelers from outside the CIS region explored the Russian capital — a 10% increase from the previous year. According to the Moscow City Tourism Committee, this surge highlights growing interest from Asian nations and Moscow’s rising status as a global travel hotspot.
Hotel occupancy data mirrors this trend. Figures from Rosstat show a 14% jump in foreign guests staying at Moscow hotels during the first seven months of 2025 compared to 2024. Online travel platforms like Ostrovok have also reported consistent booking growth from Indian visitors.
Easier travel procedures have played a key role in this boom. The introduction of e-visas now allows Indian travelers to apply entirely online and receive approval within four days, without needing invitations or hotel confirmations. In addition, a diverse event lineup — from international festivals to business forums — continues to attract visitors. The “Summer in Moscow” program, for example, hosted two large Indian-themed events: the International Day of Yoga and Bharat Utsav, celebrating Indian heritage and cultural exchange.
Indian Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, praised such initiatives for promoting inclusivity and offering tourists a deeper connection with Moscow’s vibrant culture. These festivals, he noted, bring life to the city’s streets and parks, letting visitors experience Moscow beyond its monuments.
Moscow has also introduced “Indian Vibes in Moscow,” a travel guide highlighting Indian-friendly hotels, restaurants, and landmarks. The Moscow City Tourism Committee actively engages in Indian travel exhibitions such as OTM, SATTE, BLTM, and MILT Congress, while organizing familiarization trips and industry conventions like OTOAI 2025 — the first ever hosted in Russia.
In 2024, Moscow welcomed 26 million visitors, generating about $2.65 billion in budget revenues. With rising interest from India, China, and the Middle East, the city aims to attract six million international tourists annually by 2030.
