The Northern Capital of Russia Will Present Its Tourist Potential at Major Tourism Exhibitions in India
St. Petersburg will take part in two major international exhibitions: BLTM (Business + Leisure Travel and MICE) on September 10-11 in Delhi, India, and OTM from 13 to 15 September in Mumbai, India. Visitors and guests are welcome to meet, discuss current issues and exchange ideas.
St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and is rightfully considered to be the leading center of science and culture, as well as the largest business and tourist center in the country. St. Petersburg is an international transportation hub and a gateway for further travel in Russia. Before the pandemic, by the end of 2019 more than 10 million tourists visited the Northern Capital, 4.9 million of whom were foreigners. St. Petersburg’s status of a leading global tourist destination is annually confirmed by international tourism awards. In addition, according to the international association of conferences and congresses ICCA rating, St. Petersburg is a leader in congress and exhibition activities in Russia. Each year the city hosts major international business events that have already become a trademark of St. Petersburg, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, and other international congresses and exhibitions.
During BLTM and OTM exhibitions in Delhi and Mumbai St. Petersburg will be represented by an exhibition, organised on behalf of the city by the Convention Bureau, a subordinate institution of the St. Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development. On the Northern Capital stand the Convention Bureau will present both the classical city sights (the world famous Winter Palace with the Hermitage Museum, St. Isaac Cathedral and Kazan Cathedral, Peter-Pavel’s Fortress, etc.) and new routes, which are developed in the city to match the modern trends and demands from various categories of travelers.
Russia and India maintain long-term friendly relations and have a long history of international cooperation in various fields. In 1967, St. Petersburg and Mumbai were officially recognized as sister cities. Friendly ties were established between the cities for the mutual exchange of culture, traditions and experience of urban management. For the last 10 years the flow of tourists from India to Russia, in particular to St. Petersburg, has been growing steadily on average by 15-20% per year. The Russian-Indian Information Center, established in 2013, plays significant role in this by supporting Russian travelers in India and Indian travelers in Russia. The center initiated the India Friendly program, which is aimed at creating a comfortable environment for tourists from India travelling in Russia. In addition, in 2017, a Visit Petersburg office opened in Mumbai, where Indian travelers can get all the necessary information about St. Petersburg while planning their trip to Russia’s northern capital.
BLTM and OTM are the largest tourism and business travel exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific region. BLTM will bring together more than 130 exhibitors from 14 countries, more than 275 professional buyers and more than 1,000 trade buyers. OTM will feature more than 800 exhibitors, 500 buyers, and 25,000 visitors from 20 countries. The event will showcase new products and services from tour operators, travel agencies, national tourism bureaus, resorts, hotels, private accommodations, luxury travel representatives, car travel representatives, youth tourism, ecotourism and other industries.