India’s growing presence in tourism in Moscow with high-end hotel bookings by non-CIS tourists on the rise with Indian visitors leading the way

Posted on November 6, 2025

India’s growing presence in tourism in Moscow is evident with a rise in luxury hotel bookings by non-CIS tourists, with Indian visitors taking the lead. This significant rise reflects Moscow’s growing appeal for Indian travellers, driven by its rich cultural heritage, vibrant urban offerings and easy accessibility. With Indian tourists increasingly seeking luxury accommodation, the city is emerging as a prime destination for high-end travel experiences.

In the first half of 2025, Moscow received 40,800 Indian tourists, representing a significant growth of 40% compared to the same period in 2024. India is now the second largest source of tourists among non-CIS countries visiting Moscow. Overall, more than 500,000 non-CIS international travelers visited Moscow between January and June 2025, reflecting a 10% year-on-year increase. The Moscow City Tourism Committee attributes this increase to growing interest from Asian markets and Moscow’s growing status as a global tourism hub.

This trend is also evident in the city’s hotel industry. According to Rosstat, foreign guest stays at Moscow hotels rose by 14% during the first seven months of 2025 compared to 2024. Data from online booking platform Ostrovok also reveals that 94% of 3-, 4- and 5-star hotel bookings this summer were made by tourists from outside the CIS, up from 85% the year before. Indian travelers in particular are among the most frequent guests at upscale hotels in Moscow.

There are several factors driving this influx of Indian tourists to Moscow. One of the main reasons is the introduction of e-visas, which have made travel easier by allowing Indian visitors to obtain a visa entirely online in just four days, without the need for confirmations or invitations from the hotel. In addition, Moscow’s vibrant events calendar, which includes a mix of major cultural festivals and business events, plays an important role in attracting visitors from India.

For example, during the “Summer in Moscow” project, two major events were organized to showcase Indian culture: International Yoga Day and Bharat Utsav (India Festival in Moscow). These events reflect Moscow’s inclusive atmosphere and deep cultural ties with India, enhancing the city’s appeal to Indian tourists.

“Initiatives such as ‘Summer in Moscow’ enrich the cultural life of the city and help show how welcoming Moscow is. These events give tourists and foreign delegations the opportunity to discover the city not only through its monuments but also through its people, public spaces and cultural diversity. This format is particularly attractive because the celebrations unfold directly in the streets and parks – the places where people gather in summer.” – Commented the Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, His Excellency Mr. Vinay Kumar.

Moscow has launched several initiatives aimed at attracting Indian tourists, e.g Indian sentiments in Moscow Guide that provides valuable information on hotels, dining options and landmarks associated with India.

The main focus of Moscow’s strategy is to strengthen strong and long-term relations with the global tourism industry. Moscow City Tourism Committee actively participates in major travel fairs in India, including OTM, SATTE, BLTM and MILT Congress. In addition, the city hosts trade delegations and organizes familiarization trips to Moscow for travel professionals. These efforts have significantly raised the city’s profile in the tourism industry. One of the highlights was the OTOAI 2025 Convention, which was the first time the event was held in Russia. The conference brought together over 250 Indian tour operators, media persons and travel experts, and provided them with an in-depth look at Moscow’s tourism infrastructure, hospitality and cultural offerings. Looking ahead, Moscow plans to strengthen its position in the Indian market through high-profile events, including the Meet Global MICE 2025 conference, while continuing to strengthen partnerships to make the city more accessible and attractive to Indian visitors.

India’s growing tourism presence in Moscow is marked by a sharp rise in luxury hotel bookings, with Indian visitors leading the charge. As Moscow’s cultural and urban attractions gain popularity, more affluent Indian travelers are choosing the city for luxury accommodation. This trend highlights Moscow’s attractiveness as a major destination for non-CIS tourists, especially from India.

Based on these initiatives, Moscow is on track to achieve continued growth in international tourism. In 2024, the city welcomed 26 million visitors, contributing 235 billion rubles (about 2.65 billion US dollars) to the economy. By 2030, Moscow aims to attract up to six million international tourists annually, with a significant share of this growth coming from travelers from India, China, the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.