India And Russia Strengthen Tourism Ties At Otoai’s 6th Annual Convention In Moscow, Exploring Key Challenges And Opportunities In The Evolving Travel Industry

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

India and Russia person taken important steps toward enhancing their tourism relations astatine nan Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) 6th Annual Convention successful Moscow. Held from July 10-13, 2025, this arena brought together complete 200 delegates to research captious challenges and untapped opportunities successful nan evolving recreation industry. With a attraction connected fostering deeper connections betwixt nan 2 nations, nan normal group nan shape for strategical collaborations and maturation successful bilateral tourism, underpinned by nan latest technological advancements and innovative recreation solutions.

The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) successfully wrapped up its 6th Annual Convention successful Moscow, Russia, from July 10-13, 2025. The event, which spanned 4 days, attracted complete 200 delegates from India who engaged successful move discussions to heighten tourism ties betwixt India and Russia. Held astatine The Carlton Hotel connected July 10th and 11th, nan normal was followed by an enriching metropolis circuit connected July 12th, organized successful collaboration pinch nan Moscow City Tourism Committee. The normal served arsenic a level for manufacture experts to deliberate connected existent challenges and strategize connected advancing India-Russia tourism collaboration. The taxable for this year’s event, “Fast Forward Future – The Intelligent Travel,” emphasized nan transformative imaginable of exertion successful tourism.

The normal featured respective cardinal sessions, including an opening ceremonial pinch addresses from OTOAI President Mr. Himanshu Patil, Vice President and Convention Co-Chairman Mr. Shravan Bhalla, and Mr. Evgeniy Kozlov, nan First Deputy Head of nan Office of nan Mayor and Chairman of Moscow City Tourism Committee.

A notable sheet chat connected “Connected Travel: Building Speed, Safety & Scale for nan Intelligent Traveller” was moderated by Mr. SanJeet and included distinguished panellists specified arsenic Mr. Ankush Nijhawan, Mrs. Anastasia Papova, Mr. Dev Karvat, Mr. Irshad Dadan, Mr. Sharad Gowani, and Mr. Rahim Aslam.

Presentations from cardinal manufacture players specified arsenic nan Moscow City Tourism Committee, VFS, Asego, and DMC Bazaar further enriched nan event, while keynote speeches by Dr. Prashant Pansare and Mr. Deven Parulekar inspired delegates. The normal besides witnessed a momentous MOU signing betwixt VFS Global and OTOAI.

Networking sessions, including extended B2B meetings pinch suppliers, hoteliers, and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) from Russia, allowed delegates to summation in-depth insights into Russia’s rich | tourism offerings. These sessions offered invaluable opportunities to foster connections and research caller business ventures.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Kozlov underscored nan value of enhancing people-to-people connections betwixt India and Moscow done tourism, reinforcing nan value of nan event.

A cardinal item of nan normal was nan broad destination familiarisation acquisition that showcased Moscow’s captivating taste and humanities landmarks. Participants explored iconic sites for illustration Red Square, GUM, VDNKh, and Zaryadye Park, indulged successful taste activities specified arsenic a equine show, enjoyed a thrust connected nan Sun of Moscow Ferris Wheel, and embarked connected stream cruises and panoramic stepping tours. The historical metro stations and section culinary experiences further enriched nan taste immersion. The Festival of India, Bharat Utsav, held connected Manezhnaya Square, added a typical touch to nan event.

Following nan convention, complete 200 delegates traveled to St. Petersburg for a 3-night post-convention tour, wherever they enjoyed a guided stepping circuit of Palace Square, a scenic stream and canal cruise, and exclusive early entree to The Hermitage Palace. The taste evenings and networking cocktails added a societal magnitude to nan experience, while visits to St. Petersburg’s cardinal landmarks offered heavy taste insights.

The normal resulted successful singular business outcomes, including:

• More than 1750 B2B meetings
• Over 20 partnerships forged betwixt Indian and Russian recreation stakeholders
• Multiple destination-specific circuit packages developed
• Firm commitments from Indian operators for nan wintertime 2025 and 2026 recreation seasons

Additionally, OTOAI signed an MOU pinch VFS Global and initiated strategical dialogues pinch nan Moscow City Tourism Committee and different Russian partners, marking nan opening of a semipermanent cooperative model aimed astatine strengthening tourism ties betwixt nan 2 countries.

Commenting connected nan successful conclusion of nan event, Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI said, “The tremendous consequence received from our delegates and nan actual partnerships forged during nan past fewer days validate our belief that Moscow represents nan adjacent frontier for Indian outbound tourism. Its bonzer hospitality, mixed pinch rich | taste tapestry and world-class infrastructure, has convinced our members that this destination offers unparalleled opportunities for nan discerning Indian traveller. Our delegates’ immersive experiences – from Moscow’s architectural marvels to St. Petersburg’s White Nights – person equipped them pinch firsthand knowledge to curate authentic and unforgettable experiences for Indian tourists.” With increasing liking from Indian travellers, amended aerial connectivity, and simplified visa processes, Moscow is well-positioned to go a preferred destination. The normal has laid a beardown instauration to boost two-way tourism and fortify Indo-Russian recreation partnerships.

Adding further to this, Shravan Bhalla, Convention Chairman, OTOAI said, “The normal has delivered precisely what we had hoped for – a applicable roadmap to unlock Moscow’s imaginable for Indian outbound tourism. Our cardinal takeaway is nan collaborative tone demonstrated by our counterparts successful addressing operational challenges and market-specific requirements. The sessions besides brought to ray immoderate of nan astir pressing trends shaping nan early of world travel, specified arsenic nan emergence of intelligent recreation powered by AI and personalisation, nan expanding request for experiential and immersive tourism, and nan request for robust recreation security and information protocols. Moreover, discussions astir multi-destination itineraries, integer visa facilitation, and sustainable recreation practices sparked important liking among delegates, indicating a beardown appetite for invention and adaptability wrong nan Indian recreation industry. 

Addressing nan media, Anastasia Popova, Head of Business Tourism Development Department of nan Moscow City Tourism Committee, said, “OTOAI’s 6th Convention has surpassed each expectations and showcased nan singular liking Indian recreation stakeholders person successful exploring Moscow arsenic a destination. The value of engagement and meaningful business discussions has validated our strategy to position Russia prominently successful nan Indian outbound market. We are already moving intimately pinch Indian circuit operators connected customised packages that blend Moscow’s rich | taste practice pinch modern amenities that resonate pinch Indian travellers’ preferences. Current Moscow–India nonstop aerial connectivity through Aeroflot airline has further enhanced accessibility for Indian tourists”.

India and Russia are strengthening their tourism ties astatine OTOAI’s 6th Annual Convention successful Moscow, focusing connected cardinal challenges and opportunities successful nan evolving recreation industry. The arena brings together complete 200 delegates to talk innovative solutions and foster deeper bilateral tourism collaboration.

The occurrence of nan normal was driven by basal contributors specified arsenic nan Moscow City Tourism Committee, VFS Global, Asego, DMC Bazaar, and respective Russian and Indian tourism providers, alongside nan Indian recreation media. This arena signifies a captious milestone successful strengthening India-Russia tourism relations, laying nan groundwork for continued maturation successful recreation exchanges betwixt nan 2 nations. With much than 200 manufacture experts possessing extended marketplace insights, OTOAI is primed to foster important maturation successful Indian outbound recreation to Moscow.