The OTOAI Convention in Moscow and St Petersburg was among the most influential industry events of 2025, taking a large delegation of India’s travel trade to Russia. The excitement generated by the convention, combined with immersive on-ground experiences in two of Russia’s most iconic cities, sparked conversations about the destination’s potential revival in the Indian market.
By Nisha Verma
TravTalk spoke to OTOAI committee members, participating agents, and other industry stakeholders to gauge the post-convention impact. Their responses indicate that while challenges remain, the convention has repositioned Russia as a strong, rediscovered destination for the Indian market.
Did buzz translate into bookings?
Across the board, travel companies report an immediate rise in interest following the OTOAI Convention. “There was a sudden increase in queries for Russia after the convention,” shared Adl Abdul Karim, Executive Committee Member, OTOAI & Joint Managing Director, Flycreative Online, who confirmed that his company has already handled FIT business, though “conversion would have been much better if the situation was a little more stable.” Riaz Munshi, Executive Committee Member, OTOAI & MD, N Chirag Travels, said, “The event created a strong buzz, which translated into a noticeable increase in inquiries and confirmed bookings across FITs, leisure groups, MICE, and even special-interest segments.”
Echoing similar views, Shravan Bhalla, Vice President, OTOAI and Director, High Flyer, said, “We have been getting a few high-end queries… a few have already been closed, and clients returned with smiling faces.”
FIT travellers seem to be responding strongly. “We have generated a couple of bookings for FITs looking for lesser explored destinations,” confirmed Monia Kapoor, Joint Secretary, OTOAI & MD, Travel O Holidays. Even established Russia-sellers are generating good business. “Yes, we did a 14-pax group with One Above Russia and a couple of FITs,” said Vinayak Laud, Executive Committee Member, OTOAI & Partner, Vinaayak Holidays.
First-hand experience helps
If there is one sentiment universal across the trade, it is the importance of the on-ground experience gained during the convention and the Fam trip. “Nothing compares to seeing and experiencing a destination yourself,” said Kapoor, highlighting how six nights across Moscow and St Petersburg allowed delegates to assess logistics, hotels, cuisine, and the general vibe of the cities. For Munshi, this direct exposure strengthened sales pitches, “Agents explored the culture, infrastructure, safety, cuisine, and overall visitor experience. This deeper knowledge has given them confidence to curate itineraries more authentically,” he underlined.
Amit Thadani, Director, Nik n Ami Travels, pointed out that practical learnings are also playing a major role. “US dollars are rarely accepted unless perfectly folded, and Google Maps does not function properly in many areas. These insights help prepare clients for a smooth experience,” he shared.
From an events and celebrations perspective, Bhalla emphasised how the Fam opened future possibilities. “We experienced various convention venues and luxury hotels suitable for honeymoon itineraries, destination weddings, and social celebrations,” he added.
Positive client feedback
Despite teething issues and operational limitations, clients who have already visited Russia are returning impressed. “Travellers are pleasantly surprised by how modern, vibrant, and culturally rich Russia is,” said Munshi. In fact, he highlighted that there was growing interest even among those who previously never considered the destination.
Thadani noted that enthusiasm is reciprocated by travellers. “Clients naturally feel comfortable and excited to travel when you are genuinely confident about the destination.” For Kapoor, the satisfaction levels are clear. “Clients have come back happy and satisfied with the destination and the experiences it offers.”
Laud shared that the response from multi-city itineraries is equally strong. “We received excellent feedback from clients who travelled to Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi, and the Golden Ring. Indian food is easily available.” Bhalla added that his clients are “now looking forward to experiencing the winter part of Moscow soon.”
Growing interest and strong pipeline
Sharing his experience, Rahim Aslam, Founder & Consultant, OA Globe DMC, said, “Russia has consistently shown strong interest from the Indian market, both for FIT and MICE segments. With the OTOAI Convention, we were able to build valuable new connections and have already closed multiple groups ranging from 30 to 100 passengers. Several larger potential groups — between 600 and 800 passengers — are also in the pipeline for 2026. Recently, our Brand Ambassador, Shakti Mohan, was filmed in Moscow, St Petersburg, and Murmansk. We are excited to unveil this collaboration at OTM.”
Smoothen operational challenges
Even with strong interest, certain constraints continue to affect traveller confidence. Payment restrictions remain a key issue, highlighted by multiple operators. “Visa, Master, and other cards are not accepted,” noted Laud. Karim also pointed to “limited payment options” as a recurring concern. He added, “Minor inconvenience due to instability in flight connectivity,” he said.
Visa disparities add another layer of complexity. According to Bhalla, “Indian passport holders benefit from e-visas, but NRI passport holders — especially those with the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia passports — must apply for sticker visas, which could lead to delays.” While these issues require coordinated solutions, they have not dampened overall interest in the destination.
Big corporate movements
Outside the convention influence, a major corporate movement in Moscow has further validated Russia’s readiness for large groups. Vikas Khanduri, Founder & CEO, Holiday Merchants, organised a 300-member corporate event in Moscow — a significant feat. “Moscow proved to be an exceptional destination,” he said, praising the city’s seamless hospitality from arrival to departure.
Two grand gala dinners — including one on a Moscow River cruise — showcased the city’s versatility as a MICE host. Indian food capacity exceeded expectations, with restaurants able to host 150 guests in a single sitting. A highlight was the Moscow Tourism Board’s presence at one gala, where they enjoyed a Ganesh Vandana and an Indo-Russian cultural fusion performance. The group also visited St Petersburg, and Khanduri already has “another 250-person movement in planning.”
Creating the right momentum
From FITs and leisure groups to corporate events and even high-end fashion-linked movements, Russia is steadily rebuilding its presence in the Indian outbound market. The OTOAI Convention has played a catalytic role by reintroducing the destination to the trade with clarity, confidence, and curiosity. Challenges persist, but the groundwork has been laid. As Munshi summed up, “Russia has re-entered the consideration set for Indian travellers, and the positive momentum continues to build.”
If there is one sentiment universal across the trade, it is the importance of the on-ground experience gained during the convention and the Fam trip.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
