MICE in Russia: India’s Next Big Business Travel Frontier

Russia is betting big on India. The Moscow City Tourism Committee hosted over 500 B2B meetings in New Delhi in March 2026, connecting Indian travel agents with Russian officials to develop tailored tour packages. The numbers tell a compelling story: over 109,000 Indian tourists visited Moscow in 2025—a nearly 30% increase.

But here’s what matters for B2B travel fraternity: MICE is the fastest-growing segment in Russia’s travel market. The overall travel agency market stood at USD 8.04 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit USD 17.21 billion by 2033, growing at 8.83% CAGR. With leisure currently leading, MICE is poised to outpace all other segments.

     What’s Driving This Momentum?

The electronic visa (e-visa) system has simplified entry for Indian travellers. Direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore are expanding connectivity. Moscow’s ExpoForum in St. Petersburg offers world-class convention infrastructure—50,000 sq. m. indoor exhibition space, 30 conference halls, and on-site Hilton properties.

Cultural initiatives like “Indian Vibes in Moscow” and virtual reality previews of Red Square and the Kremlin are helping Indian travel professionals sell the destination better. Moscow hosted over 200 students at Banasthali Vidyapith, promoting youth and academic travel.

     What’s the Take for B2B Fraternity?

For Indian travel agents, DMCs, and MICE specialists, Russia is no longer a niche market. With organised B2B platforms like Luxury Travel Mart (LTM) facilitating 13,000 pre-scheduled meetings annually and bringing 260+ global exhibitors to Moscow, the infrastructure to do business is already in place. The message is clear: Russia wants Indian corporate travellers, incentive groups, and conference delegates. The window is now open.