The Russian Tourism Board is currently promoting Russia as a premier destination for wedding tourism, offering Indians the opportunity to exchange vows and say 'I do' in the breathtaking Russian surroundings.
Evgeny Kozlov, the Chairman of The Moscow City Tourism Committee, a branch of the Government of Moscow, as well as the First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor, unveiled thrilling prospects during the BLTM and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel trade event in New Delhi. In addition to their existing initiatives to attract more business and leisure tourists from India, they have now set their sights on transforming Moscow into the ultimate destination for weddings.
“We want to attract a new type of tourism from India, that is wedding tourism, and offer an experience of a lifetime with a great mix of travel, leisure activities, and weddings in the stunning backdrop in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities'', he shared.
"So many Indian weddings take place in foreign countries, so why not in Moscow and other regions in Russia? We aim to provide a personalized experience to people, especially those travelling with families,” Kozlov said.
The Russia Tourism Board already attracts business tourists and provides connections by creating new opportunities for start-ups and ventures.
“To attract more tourists, we have made the process convenient for all by providing E-visa and logistic facilities. We are also expanding MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism for expansion of business between India and Russia,” Kozlov added.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia recorded a remarkable annual growth rate of 12-15% in tourist arrivals from India. By 2022, Indian business travellers were the second-largest group of visitors to Moscow, according to the press release.
In order to rejuvenate tourism between Russia and India after the pandemic, the Moscow City Tourism Committee and the Association of MICE Agencies of India (NIMA) have recently introduced the Moscow MICE Ambassadors program, unveiling innovative strategies and a fresh perspective.
“Our goal is to create a new world of possibilities and opportunities for two countries to invent each other. India and Russia share a similar mix of cultures and religions, and we are close partners in different spheres of economy. And in the tourism sphere, there are a lot of opportunities to increase tourist flow between the two nations,” Kozlov signed off.