The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has officially commenced its 6th Annual Convention in Moscow, marking a significant step in strengthening tourism ties between India and Russia. The event brings together 200–250 delegates, including key stakeholders from both countries, to explore new opportunities for bilateral tourism growth and collaboration.
This milestone convention is particularly notable as it is the first time Indian delegates are collectively exploring Russia as an outbound destination, showcasing the country’s emerging potential in the Indian travel market. India and Russia have long enjoyed friendly diplomatic relations, and the recent visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has further deepened bilateral cooperation—including in the tourism sector.
Himanshu Patil, President of OTOAI, shared his optimism about the growing tourism potential between the two nations. “India is a sleeping giant for Russia, and we expect explosive growth in Indian tourists visiting the country in the coming years,” said Patil. He added that planning for this convention began two years ago, with a strong desire to introduce OTOAI members to Russia’s tourism offerings firsthand.
Welcoming the Indian delegation, Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, emphasized Moscow’s strengths as a destination for leisure, business tourism, and MICE events. “We are excited to collaborate with OTOAI to showcase Moscow’s rich cultural heritage and strengthen tourism exchange between our nations,” Kozlov stated.
In addition to Moscow, convention delegates will also travel to St. Petersburg, often referred to as Russia’s second capital, offering them a broader view of the country’s tourism potential.
The convention aims to facilitate dialogue between Indian tour operators and Russian tourism stakeholders, laying the groundwork for increased outbound travel from India. Kozlov further noted that hosting a high-profile event like the OTOAI convention in Russia will help promote Moscow and Delhi as partner cities and foster long-term tourism and cultural exchanges.
With India rapidly emerging as a vital outbound travel market, the OTOAI convention in Moscow is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism cooperation between India and Russia.
