Russia proposes visa-free travel for Indian tourist groups

 

Russia proposes visa-free travel for Indian tourist groups Russia is discussing a special visa-free travel option for Indian tourists coming in groups. According to an official of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, the initiative will allow a certain number of travellers to enter Russia without a visa if they are part of an organised tour.

For example, in the case of China, the group size is between 10 and 20 people. The Russian government is currently in talks with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to finalise the required group size for Indian tourists,” said Evgeny Kozlov, chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.

 India is a key market for Russian tourism, second only to China among non-CIS countries. Kozlov highlighted that Indian tourists are known for their high spending, averaging $2,000 per person per visit. Between January and September 2024, Moscow welcomed 19.7 million visitors, including 61,000 Indian tourists. By 2030, the city expects to attract 6 million international tourists, mainly from CIS countries, the Asia-Pacific region, India, and the Middle East.

Russia is actively promoting Moscow as a global tourist destination. According to Kozlov, the city's tourism growth is driven by improved infrastructure, strategic promotions in key markets such as India, and the introduction of the e-visa system. Moscow is also focusing on attracting visitors through business, wedding, family, and film tourism.

To further promote Indian tourism, the Moscow City Tourism Committee delegation is currently in talks with Indian film production houses. It aims to encourage Indian filmmakers to shoot in Moscow by offering incentives, which are still under discussion. With these efforts, Russia aims to strengthen its tourism ties with India and make Moscow a preferred destination for Indian travellers.

 

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