The Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, and the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai have explored new opportunities to strengthen bilateral tourism ties, including the possibility of launching direct flights between Mumbai and St. Petersburg.
The discussions focused on enhancing tourism cooperation through destination promotion, improved air connectivity, and government-to-government collaboration. The initiative comes as Mumbai and St. Petersburg prepare to celebrate 60 years as sister cities in 2027, providing an opportunity to deepen cultural and tourism exchanges.
The meeting was chaired by Mangesh Joshi (IAS), Director of the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra.
Officials from Maharashtra Tourism who attended the meeting included:
- Mangesh Joshi (IAS), Director
- Santosh Jadhav, Joint Director
- Sushil Pawar, Assistant Director
The Russian delegation comprised:
- Matvei Fetisov, Vice Consul
- Vladislav Morozov, Vice Consul
Both sides discussed strategies to strengthen tourism cooperation and promote travel between Maharashtra and Russia.
One of the key proposals discussed was the introduction of direct air connectivity between Mumbai and St. Petersburg.
If implemented, direct flights are expected to:
- Reduce travel time between the two cities.
- Encourage leisure and business travel.
- Improve tourism exchanges.
- Support trade and investment opportunities.
- Strengthen cultural ties between India and Russia.
While no official launch timeline has been announced, both sides expressed interest in exploring the proposal further.
During the meeting, the Russian delegation presented St. Petersburg as one of Russia’s leading tourism destinations.
Key attractions highlighted included:
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Historic architecture
- World-renowned museums
- Cultural festivals
- Performing arts
The delegation also noted that Russian travellers are increasingly choosing destinations in Asia, with Maharashtra identified as a promising tourism market. Mumbai and St. Petersburg will mark 60 years as sister cities in 2027.
The longstanding partnership provides a platform for expanding cooperation across several areas, including:
- Tourism
- Culture
- Education
- Business
- Investment
Officials indicated that tourism-focused collaborations could become an important part of the anniversary celebrations. The discussions form part of Maharashtra Tourism’s broader strategy to expand its international presence and strengthen partnerships with overseas tourism markets.
According to Mangesh Joshi (IAS), the department remains committed to promoting Maharashtra globally through sustained government-level engagement and collaborative initiatives.
The proposed cooperation with Russia aligns with the state’s objective of attracting more international visitors while enhancing connectivity with key global destinations.
