ATOR predicted an increase in inbound tourism to Russia from a possible visa-free regime with India

The visa-free regime between the Russian Federation and the Republic of India will have a significant impact on all inbound tourism to Russia, which is currently a popular holiday destination for tourists from Arab and Asian countries. This was announced on Sunday, January 11, by Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

She pointed out that the flow of Indian tourists to Russia increased by 30% in 2025.

"The visa—free regime for tourists from India will have a strong impact on inbound tourism," she said in an interview with TASS.

The agency's interlocutor clarified that last year tourists from the People's Republic of China (PRC), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Sultanate of Oman, as well as from Turkey and countries located in Southeast Asia came to Russia. There were also Indian citizens among the foreigners who visited the country.

In the course of Delhi: India announced group visa-free travel with Russia

Putin hopes to reach a trade turnover of $100 billion between the two countries, while Modi hopes to attract investments.

On December 4, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview with India Today that India and China are Russia's closest friends. He clarified that Moscow greatly appreciates the existing relations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the same day that his country's relations with Russia have been time-tested and bring great benefits to the peoples of the two states.

The head of the Ministry of Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikov, speaking at the Russian-Indian Business Forum on December 4, 2025, stated the need to speed up work on launching visa-free group trips between Russia and India. According to him, to simplify travel, the Russian Federation has already extended the validity period of an electronic visa for Indians to 120 days and a stay of up to 30 days.

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