Moscow’s business tourism sector is booming, with a 25% increase in Indian visitors in 2023. This surge in interest from India has helped Moscow become a leading destination for non-CIS business travelers. In 2023, Moscow welcomed 3.7 million corporate travelers, a 7% increase from the previous year. Among non-CIS countries, India leads the way with 60,000 Indian professionals visiting Moscow in 2023, a significant 25% increase from 2022. To capitalize on this growth, the Moscow City Tourism Committee hosted the Shaping MICE Future Conference in Delhi on April 19, 2024. The conference targeted Indian MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) professionals and showcased Moscow’s capabilities as a premier business tourism destination. The conference drew over 100 attendees from MICE agencies, corporate sectors, and the travel industry from both India and Russia, including notable participants from Aeroflot and Sberbank’s Indian offices. The discussions at the conference focused on the existing dynamics and collaborative opportunities within the Indian MICE market. Indian MICE representatives also engaged in B2B meetings aimed at forging new partnerships within Moscow’s business and hospitality sectors. The conference also explored innovative responses to international demands for unique MICE venues, highlighting unconventional settings like museums, parks, and theaters. Popular venues now include the State Historical Museum, the Moscow Planetarium, and the Khudozhestvenny Cinema. To further boost tourism from India, Russia has introduced visa-free organized group travel for Indian tourists. This initiative is expected to make it easier for Indian tourists to visit Moscow and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Another key outcome from the conference was the introduction of the Moscow MICE Ambassadors Program. This online certification initiative is designed specifically for the Indian market and aims to bolster Moscow’s reputation as a top MICE destination.
Moscow’s Business Tourism Sector Boosted by Increase in Indian Visitors
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