Russia offering unique experiences to attract Indian travellers

Traveling to Moscow has become more accessible, as tourists from India and 54 other countries can apply for electronic visas to enter Russia since August 1, 2023. The impact of this e-visa rollout will be assessed by October, following an analysis of quarterly data from Russian border control agencies.

 Russia now looking to attract Indian travellers

Moscow has bolstered collaboration with allied nations in the tourism sector, hosting familiarisation tours for delegates and facilitating business trips to showcase the city's vast tourism potentials.

To enhance visitors' experience, Moscow has invested in infrastructure improvements. English and Chinese signage is now available, public transport announcements are bilingual, and hotels are adapting to cater to the diverse needs of international guests.

Bulat Nurmukhanov, Head of International Cooperation Division of Moscow City Tourism Committee, stated, "We are working diligently to revive the influx of Indian tourists to Moscow to reach pre-covid levels." In the first half 2023, Moscow welcomed approximately 20,000 Indian visitors.

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Visitors to the capital can choose from a range of hotels to suit their budget. They can savour traditional Russian cuisine or explore a diverse culinary experience, with options spanning from authentic Indian delicacies to continental dishes.

In 2022, Moscow witnessed a 6.3 percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, totaling 1.7 million visitors.

Meanwhile, PTI cited sources as saying that Indian Embassy in Moscow and the Indian Ministry of Tourism, along with the governments of Goa and Kerala are scheduled to participate in roundtable discussions this month. Plans are underway to engage social media influencers to boost inbound traffic to India. Before the pandemic, India welcomed around 300,000 Russian tourists annually, but recent figures have dipped to approximately 80,000 to 90,000.

To simplify movement around the city, Moscow offers "Discover Moscow," a navigation and travel web portal providing information about Moscow, and "RUSSPASS travel service," a digital platform designed for planning trips across Russia.