INDO-RUSSIAN TRAVEL AND TOURISM FAIR (IRTTF) 2024

Venue : Uday Palace Convention Centre, Kowdiar, Trivandrum

We are happy to announce the dates of the Indo-Russian Travel and Tourism Fair in the year 2024. The second edition of this bilateral travel and tourism fair will be held from 01st to 3rd April 2024 at Udaya Palace Convention Centre in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala State.

The first edition of IRTTF which was held in Trivandrum from 29 November to 01 December 2022 attracted the tourism industry and trade of both the countries. Both the inbound and outbound tour operators from Russia and India, hotels and outbound tour operators in India, especially South India participated in the fair. MoUs were signed and the Indian tour operators started working on different packages to Russia. These include established destinations like Moscow and St Petersburg and new destinations like Siberia.

Kerala is the second favourite destination for Russian tourists (after Goa) and the interest of Russian tourists in Kerala’s different destinations like Kovalam Beach, Marari Beach, Alleppy House boats, Munnar tea plantation, Wayanad is increasing year by year. We are monitoring the progress. Since Ayurveda originated in Kerala, the outbound tour operators in Russia have started sending tourist for this Indian traditional medicine. We negotiated with Middle East-based airlines to get affordable airfares, since most of the Russian tourist travel to Kerala by Air Arabia, Emirates, Qatar Airways or Oman Air. It takes almost four hours to fly from Gulf countries to the major cities in Kerala. The first edition of IRTTF provided the Russian tour operators an opportunity to meet the leading tour operators from other parts of India enabling them to expand their business activities to the entire country.

We are organising the second edition of the Travel and Tourism Fair in association with the Tourism Ministry, Government of India, Russian Embassy in India, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, Outbound Tour Operators Association of Russia and Hoteliers’ Association of Kerala.

Indo-Russian travel mart has opened up the platform for various organisations, hotels, travel and tourist agencies, sellers and buyers to meet and promote each other. Here is the essentiality of a bilateral travel fare. Russia and India are centuries-old-time-tested friends and strategic partners, and tourism can promote People to People. Diplomacy, which is the pillar of our relations.So making the presence of your region will go a long way in promoting regional cooperation and learning the diverse culture and enjoying beautiful scenery of both the countries.

SIGNIFICANCE – The Indian Tour operators are unable to meet the representatives of the Russian tourism industry at the major travel fairs like WTM (World Travel Mart) in London and ITB in Berlin. There were only two Indian stalls at the OTDHKH LEISURE travel show in Moscow in September 2022. Though India, especially Kerala is a favorite destination for Russian tourists and the number of Indians going to Russia is increasing significantly, there is no ideal platform for buyers and sellers to meet. Here is the essentiality of a bilateral travel fair. Russia and India are centuries-old-time-tested friends and strategic partners, and tourism can promote People to People Diplomacy, which is the pillar of our relations. So making the presence of your region will go a long way in promoting regional cooperation.