The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has officially announced that its 6th Annual Convention will be held in Moscow, Russia, from July 10 to 13, 2025. The high-profile industry gathering will take place at the prestigious Carlton Hotel Moscow, formerly the Ritz-Carlton, and will bring together over 150 leading outbound tour operators from across India, along with members of the media and the association’s executive committee.
Explaining the rationale behind selecting Moscow as the host city, Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI, said, “It’s a great city, a magnificent city with a lot to offer. Another important factor is the ease of obtaining a Russian visa; it’s now an online process and takes just three days. That’s a big plus for Indian travellers.”
“This convention represents a pivotal moment in India-Russia tourism relations. Moscow stands out as a perfect blend of historical grandeur and contemporary sophistication – precisely what Indian travellers are seeking today. As global travel patterns evolve, our partnership with the Moscow City Tourism Committee will enable Indian tourists to explore beyond traditional destinations. Through this convention, we aim to create a framework for increased tourism exchanges benefiting operators from both nations, positioning Moscow as a premier destination in India’s outbound tourism portfolio.”
Shravan Bhalla, Vice President, OTOAI, also serving as the Convention Chairman, further highlighted Moscow’s broad appeal across various travel segments. “Moscow is a vibrant and safe city. It caters to all kinds of travellers, whether it’s MICE, luxury, families, honeymooners, movie shoots, or even destination weddings. Once people visit and experience it themselves, they’ll realize how much the city truly has to offer,” he noted.
Monia Kapoor, Co-Convention Chairman, highlighted the engaging format of the upcoming OTOAI Convention, saying, “There will be panel discussions and a half-day dedicated to B2B meetings, giving ample time for meaningful networking.”
Speaking about the destination, she added, “Moscow is a beautiful city, and very different from what the perception of common Indians is right now. People are apprehensive and don’t want to take that risk, but it is absolutely safe and stunning during the time of our convention. It’s the perfect season, not too hot, not too cold, to explore iconic sites like the Kremlin, Red Square, and the incredible underground metro.”
The convention will be followed by a three-night hosted familiarization trip to St. Petersburg, giving delegates a broader view of Russia’s diverse tourism offerings. While the theme of the convention is yet to be revealed, OTOAI leadership confirmed that it will be announced closer to the event, along with details of prominent speakers.
Addressing concerns about safety, Bhalla emphasised that the association has conducted thorough checks. “There’s a perception issue, but we’ve verified it, Moscow is safe. We expect outbound numbers from India to grow once operators witness the destination’s potential firsthand,” he added.
Anastasia Popova, Head of Business Tourism Development Department of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the convention in partnership with OTOAI stating, “We are honoured that the 6th convention will be held in Moscow. Holding such a major event in the heart of our capital is testimony to the fact that relations between India and Moscow continue to expand and strengthen. We see this as a great potential and from our side will continue to work towards developing our city’s tourism offerings. Business travellers in Moscow enjoy top-notch conference venues, modern transportation, and a vibrant social scene. The capital provides a truly high level of comfort, safety and cultural heritage for leisure travellers to enjoy as well as unique venues and unparalleled experiences for sophisticated MICE travellers.”
The event also marked a major milestone with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Anastasia Popova, Head of Business Tourism Development Department, Moscow City Tourism Committee, and Shravan Bhalla, symbolising a joint commitment to boost bilateral tourism exchanges.
 has officially announced that its 6th Annual Convention will be held in Moscow, Russia, from July 10 to 13, 2025. The high-profile industry gathering will take place at the prestigious Carlton Hotel Moscow, formerly the Ritz-Carlton, and will bring together over 150 leading outbound tour operators from across India, along with members of the media and the association’s executive committee.){kind=link}