Karnataka State Hosts Successful St. Petersburg Roadshow After Moscow Expo, Promoting Heritage Trails and Adventure Getaways

Published on March 23, 2025

In a powerful move to expand its global footprint, Karnataka Tourism marked a milestone in its international promotion efforts through a high-impact presence at the MITT Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition held from March 18–20, 2025, followed by a strategic roadshow in St. Petersburg on March 21. These two back-to-back events showcased Karnataka’s vast tourism potential and reinforced the state’s commitment to welcoming Russian travelers.

The Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, led by Secretary Ms. Salma Fahim, IAS, orchestrated a compelling representation of the state’s rich cultural heritage, nature-based attractions, and emerging travel experiences. The twin events—one of Russia’s largest tourism expos and a direct outreach in one of its key cultural cities—offered an ideal platform for Karnataka to elevate its visibility in the Russian travel market.

Vibrant Presence at MITT Moscow 2025

Held at one of Europe’s top travel exhibitions, MITT Moscow 2025, the Karnataka Tourism Pavilion attracted considerable attention with its immersive design and storytelling approach. The stall was officially inaugurated by Mr. Nikhilesh Giri, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Moscow, who commended the initiative for deepening Indo-Russian travel ties.

Audio-visual displays and interactive engagements at the stall highlighted Karnataka’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hampi, Mysuru’s royal grandeur, Coorg’s coffee trails, and the cosmopolitan vibes of Bengaluru. Natural wonders like Jog Falls, Bandipur National Park, and the serene beaches of Gokarna also garnered significant interest from the Russian travel trade.

The stall served as a hub for B2B meetings, where Karnataka’s tourism officials engaged with Russian tour operators, DMCs, media representatives, and travel influencers, exploring partnership models for cultural tourism, wellness packages, and nature-focused itineraries.

Strategic Roadshow Held in St. Petersburg

To deepen engagement with the Russian market, Karnataka Tourism hosted a dedicated roadshow in St. Petersburg on March 21, 2025. The event was honored by the presence of Her Excellency, Ms. Neelam Rani, Consul General of India in St. Petersburg, who praised Karnataka’s initiative to strengthen tourism collaboration between the two nations.

The roadshow saw enthusiastic participation from over 60 travel industry professionals, including leading Russian tour operators, travel agencies, and travel media. Presentations during the event spotlighted Karnataka’s cultural festivals, adventure trails, spiritual circuits, and luxury resorts tailored for Russian travelers.

The event also focused on practical travel facilitation, including visa support, improved air connectivity, and Russian-language guides and content—key elements in building destination confidence and boosting bookings.

Russia: An Emerging Focus Market for Karnataka

With an increasing number of Russian tourists seeking offbeat, culturally immersive, and wellness-driven holidays, Karnataka has emerged as a promising destination. The state offers a seamless blend of spiritual retreats, wildlife safaris, hill stations, and beach escapes—an ideal mix for discerning Russian travelers seeking experiences beyond traditional routes.

According to Karnataka Tourism, the response from the Russian market reaffirms the state’s belief in targeted international outreach and destination storytelling that aligns with audience preferences. Russia’s outbound tourism recovery and appetite for Indian experiences make it a natural fit for Karnataka’s growing ambitions in inbound tourism.

Statements from Karnataka Tourism Leadership

Ms. Salma Fahim, IAS, Secretary Tourism, Government of Karnataka, expressed gratitude for the support received from the Indian diplomatic missions and Russian travel partners. “We are thrilled by the overwhelming response from the Russian travel trade and tourists. Karnataka offers a unique blend of experiences that cater to every kind of traveller, and we look forward to welcoming more Russian visitors to explore the beauty and diversity of our state,” she said.

Her comments emphasized Karnataka’s vision of becoming a top choice for Russian tourists through sustained engagement, culturally aligned marketing, and infrastructure improvements.

Path Ahead: Continued Global Promotion and Partnerships

With the success of MITT Moscow 2025 and the St. Petersburg roadshow, Karnataka Tourism has firmly positioned itself as a dynamic destination in the Russian market. These events are part of the state’s broader global tourism strategy, which includes active participation in major international travel fairs, digital campaigns in regional languages, and curated roadshows targeting priority markets.

Future collaborations are expected to include joint promotions with Russian tour operators, familiarization trips for travel agents and influencers, and increased visibility through strategic media tie-ups.

For Travel Advisors and Trade Partners

• Travel agents can now explore co-branded Karnataka packages with Russian-focused itineraries.
• Tour operators are encouraged to integrate Karnataka’s heritage and nature circuits into India tours.
• Wellness travel planners can promote Karnataka’s Ayurveda, yoga, and spiritual retreats to health-conscious Russian travelers.
• Cruise operators sailing to South India may consider offering pre- or post-cruise extensions to Karnataka.

Script Your Adventure in Karnataka – Where History, Nature, and Culture Unite

The state’s successful presence at MITT Moscow 2025 and its warm reception in St. Petersburg mark just the beginning of a renewed international journey—one that seeks to place Karnataka on every global traveler’s dream map.