The flow of Russian tourists to India last year grew by almost a quarter, benefiting from simplified visa rules.
“Tourist visas issued to Russians last year increased by 24 percent in 2011 compared to 2010,” India’s Ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra said inaugurating the India pavilion at the 19th International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (MITT) in Moscow.
“Russian tourist flow to India continues to grow at a healthy pace this year and is expected to increase by another 20 percent judging by the first two months,” Mr. Malhotra said.
The Indian embassy in Russia issued about 150,000 visas, mostly tourist ones, last year. By comparison, about 50,000 Indians visit Russia every year, and tourists account for just around 10 percent of that number.
Russian tourists today increasingly venture beyond traditional destinations like Delhi-Agra-Jaipur, Goa, Haridwar-Rishikesh, and Kulu-Manali, to such places as Kerala, Orissa, Ladakh, and the Andaman Islands, the Indian envoy said.
Twenty seven Indian travel, tour, hotel and spa companies are participating in MITT, which is being held from March 21 to 24. Indian participants praised the easing of visa rules for Russians last year, which helped achieve a robust tourist flow.
In June 2011 the Indian Embassy in Russia began issuing six month multiple entry visas for Russian tourists instead of one month single entry visas and drastically cut the issuance period from two weeks to three days. Russia reciprocated the move late last year.
During the Indian pavilion inauguration Mr. Malhotra released the first Russian language issue of the Indian quarterly magazine “Ayurveda” devoted to spas, resorts and Ayurveda centres at various tourist destinations in India.
In another move to promote the flow of Russian tourists an India Tourism Office is opening in Moscow shortly.
