In a bid to boost tourism, Russia is in the process of negotiating with the Indian government to implement a visa-free travel policy for Indian tourists visiting the country in groups. The Moscow City Tourism Committee has confirmed that it is in talks with India’s External Affairs Ministry to establish a “group-free visa regime.” This new arrangement would allow a defined number of Indian travelers to enter Russia without the need for a visa, provided they travel together as a group.
According to Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, discussions are centered around determining the appropriate group size required for the exemption. Kozlov explained that a similar system is already in place for Chinese tourists, where groups typically consist of 10 to 20 people. The final group size for Indian tourists will be specified in the travel documents.
India: A Priority Tourism Market for Moscow
Moscow is looking to India as a key market for growing its tourism sector. Kozlov highlighted that among countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), China ranks as the number one source of tourists, followed closely by India. Indian tourists are considered high-value visitors, with an average spending of $2,000 per person per trip.
Between January and September 2024, Moscow saw nearly 20 million visitors, including 61,000 from India. Looking ahead, the city aims to attract six million international tourists by 2030, focusing on visitors from India, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and other CIS nations.
Kozlov attributed the surge in international visitors to three key factors: enhanced tourism infrastructure, active promotional efforts in key markets like India, and the introduction of an e-visa regime that has simplified entry for foreign travelers.
Leveraging Cinema to Attract Indian Tourists
In addition to traditional tourism, Moscow is turning to the Indian film industry to promote its cultural and tourism offerings. The Moscow City Tourism Committee is actively engaging with Indian production houses and filmmakers, encouraging them to feature the city in their movies. Kozlov revealed that incentives are being discussed to make Moscow an attractive location for Bollywood shoots.
Film tourism is expected to play a major role in enticing Indian travelers to explore Moscow, as films often inspire travel decisions. As the negotiations continue, the prospect of visa-free group travel for Indian tourists, alongside the city’s efforts to make itself a Bollywood hotspot, may pave the way for stronger travel and cultural ties between Russia and India.
Conclusion
With discussions on visa-free travel for Indian tourists underway and a clear focus on leveraging film and cinematic tourism, Moscow is positioning itself as an attractive destination for Indian travelers. If these talks come to fruition, it will not only facilitate smoother travel for tourists but also enhance the cultural exchange between the two nations.
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