Moscow welcomed 40.8 thousand tourists from India during the first half of 2025 — a remarkable 40% increase compared to the same period last year. India has now become the second-largest non-CIS country in terms of tourist arrivals.
In total, over half a million travelers from outside CIS nations visited Moscow between January and June 2025, marking a 10% growth year-on-year. The Moscow City Tourism Committee attributes this rise to increasing interest from Asian markets and Moscow’s growing appeal as a global destination.
Strong Growth in Hotel Stays
This momentum is also reflected in the hospitality sector. According to Rosstat, foreign guest stays in Moscow hotels increased by 14% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to 2024. Data from the booking platform Ostrovok reveals that 94% of summer bookings for 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels came from travelers outside the CIS — up from 85% last year — with Indian tourists leading the premium accommodation segment.
Accessibility and Events Driving Tourism
Moscow’s accessibility has greatly improved for Indian tourists, thanks to e-visa opportunities allowing travelers to obtain entry visas fully online in just four days, without requiring invitations or hotel confirmations. The city’s diverse calendar — from major festivals to international conferences — has also become a major draw.
As part of the “Summer in Moscow” initiative, the city hosted two major events celebrating Indian culture — the International Day of Yoga and Bharat Utsav (The Festival of India in Moscow) — strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.
Cultural and Diplomatic Endorsement
“Initiatives like ‘Summer in Moscow’ enrich the city’s cultural life and help showcase how welcoming Moscow is. These events give tourists and foreign delegations an opportunity to discover the city not only through its landmarks but also through its people, public spaces, and cultural diversity,” said H.E. Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation.
Strengthening India-Moscow Relations
To further enhance travel experiences for Indian visitors, Moscow has launched initiatives such as the Indian Vibes in Moscow guide, featuring curated information about hotels, gastronomy, and India-related landmarks.
The Moscow City Tourism Committee actively engages with India’s tourism industry through major exhibitions like OTM, SATTE, BLTM, and MILT Congress. It also organizes business missions and familiarization trips to foster collaboration. A major highlight was the OTOAI Convention 2025 — the first-ever held in Russia — which brought together over 250 Indian tour operators, media representatives, and travel professionals for an immersive experience of Moscow’s hospitality and culture.
