The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has officially announced that its 6th Annual Convention will take place in Moscow, Russia, from July 10 to 13, 2025, at the prestigious Carlton Hotel Moscow (formerly Ritz-Carlton). The event will bring together over 150 prominent outbound travel professionals from India, along with media representatives and key association members.
Designed to deepen tourism engagement between India and Russia, the convention aims to encourage bilateral cooperation and create a vibrant space for industry interaction. Organized with the support of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, the program will feature insightful discussions, destination presentations, cultural immersions, and structured B2B networking sessions.
Highlighting the event’s strategic importance, Mr. Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI stated, “This is a landmark initiative in expanding travel links between India and Russia. Moscow’s mix of timeless architecture and urban sophistication aligns perfectly with the aspirations of modern Indian travellers. Our collaboration with Moscow’s tourism authorities will lay the foundation for sustained mutual growth.”
A key moment of the announcement included the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mr. Shravan Bhalla, Vice President of OTOAI and Convention Chairman, and Ms. Anastasia Popova, Head of Business Tourism Development at the Moscow City Tourism Committee. The MoU represents a shared vision to promote tourism exchanges and forge deeper industry relationships.
Sharing his views, Shravan Bhalla remarked, “Moscow has all the ingredients to appeal to a wide spectrum of Indian travellers—whether it’s for luxury vacations, corporate events, destination weddings, or cinematic projects. We believe this convention will help break misconceptions and introduce Indian operators to the city’s true potential.”
Ms. Monia Kapoor, Co-Chairperson of the OTOAI Convention, added that the convention will include impactful sessions, one-on-one meetings, and curated local experiences, offering delegates a well-rounded perspective of what Moscow has to offer. “This is the best time of the year to discover Moscow’s charm—from historic sites like the Kremlin and Red Square to the city’s famous art-filled metro stations,” she said.
Following the main convention, participants will embark on a three-day familiarization tour to St. Petersburg, allowing them to explore more of Russia’s cultural and touristic highlights beyond the capital.
Tourism figures reinforce the growing interest in Russia among Indian travellers. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, Moscow welcomed 1.9 million foreign visitors, with India emerging as one of the top non-CIS markets, contributing over 61,000 arrivals—already surpassing the entire total from the previous year.
Addressing concerns about safety, Bhalla affirmed that all necessary assessments had been conducted. “There are lingering perceptions, but we’ve verified that Moscow is not only secure but also highly welcoming to Indian travellers. With the Russian visa process now simplified to an online system with a quick three-day turnaround, accessibility has greatly improved.”
Ms. Anastasia Popova, representing the Moscow City Tourism Committee, welcomed the partnership with OTOAI. “We are delighted to host the 6th OTOAI Convention in Moscow. This reflects our growing connection with India’s travel industry. Our city provides a rich blend of cultural heritage, excellent infrastructure, and vibrant experiences for business and leisure alike.”
While the official theme and speaker lineup will be revealed closer to the event, expectations are high that the convention will serve as a catalyst for deeper India-Russia tourism collaboration, firmly placing Moscow on the map as a top destination for Indian outbound travel.
