Tourism dept to hold roadshow in Russia to boost charter arrivals and attract more tourists

Panaji: With Russia being one of Goa’s key international markets, the state’s tourism department plans to hold a roadshow in Yekaterinburg and subsequently participate in the Moscow International Travel and Tourism (MITT) Exhibition 2025.
The tourism department hopes to consolidate Goa’s position as a destination for Russian travellers. “Traditionally, Russia has been our market, but post-Covid, there is a feeling— I haven’t checked the numbers— the number of Russian tourists has declined. We are meeting charter operators to see that the traffic can be increased. Goa’s industry and travel operators like Concorde will be joining us, who will be leveraging their connections in Russia,” said tourism director Kedar Naik.
Goa aims to showcase upcoming events, festivals, and attractions such as wellness, adventure, and heritage. The MITT 2025 is one of Russia’s leading travel trade exhibitions, scheduled to take place from March 18 to 20 at Crocus Expo, Moscow.
“MITT presents an excellent opportunity for us to engage with the Russian audience and reinforce Goa’s appeal as a destination that goes beyond beaches. We want to invite Russian travellers to explore Goa’s rich heritage, scenic hinterlands, and immersive experiences,” said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte.
The roadshow in Yekaterinburg aims to directly engage with key players in the Russian travel industry, providing insights into Goa’s latest tourism sector. The networking sessions and interactions with Russian travel operators will give the Goa tourism and GTDC a chance to address concerns or gaps.
“We will be meeting some of the airlines, tour operators, and industry experts,” said Naik.