New Delhi: Moscow is actively working on a new visa-free group travel agreement with India, which is expected to significantly boost tourist numbers from India to Moscow by at least 30%, according to Evgeny Kozlov, the first deputy head of the office of the mayor and the government of Moscow. Kozlov, who also chairs the Moscow City Tourism Committee, highlighted the ongoing efforts by Russian federal officials to facilitate Indian travelers with virtual payment cards.
Virtual Cards for Indian Travelers
In a bid to enhance the travel experience for Indian tourists, Russian authorities are developing a project to issue virtual cards to Indian travelers while they are still in India. These virtual cards are expected to be operational by the end of the year. Kozlov explained that these cards, issued by Indian banks, would allow travelers to make non-cash payments in Russia seamlessly. Upon arrival in Russia, travelers can exchange their virtual cards for physical ones at their hotels, provided by Russian banking partners.
Increasing Tourist Numbers
Last year, Moscow saw over 60,000 visitors from India, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. Kozlov noted that in total, 2.3 million tourists visited Moscow in 2023, placing it among the top cities in terms of tourist influx. He emphasized the importance of Indian tourists, who are among the top foreign visitors Moscow aims to attract.
Promoting Event Tourism
To support the growth in tourism, Moscow is focusing on developing various aspects of the city, particularly event tourism. The Moscow Tourism Development Program, which extends until 2030, aims to further enhance cultural and entertainment tourism. Seasonal festivals in the city attract a large number of visitors, and experts predict that approximately 7.3 million tourists will be drawn to Moscow through event tourism, with a significant number expected to be from India.
Top Tourist Markets
Currently, the primary tourist markets for Moscow include India, China, Turkey, and the UAE. Indians are among the top five nationalities utilizing the e-visa system to visit Moscow. The city continues to develop initiatives to make travel more convenient and appealing for Indian tourists, reflecting the growing importance of India as a key tourism market for Moscow.
This initiative not only underscores Moscow’s efforts to attract more Indian tourists but also highlights the city’s strategic focus on enhancing travel convenience and promoting cultural tourism. The anticipated increase in tourist numbers and the introduction of virtual cards represent significant steps in strengthening tourism ties between India and Russia.
