The Russian travel industry is currently in a state of carefully managed transformation. Under the national project “Tourism and Hospitality,” the government has identified tourism as a strategic economic sector, leading to state-backed investment in infrastructure, domestic routes, and international promotion.
For travel professionals—from destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and tour operators to hotel chains and technology providers—2026/27 offers a distinct calendar of events, each with a unique strategic purpose. Based on official organizer data and government announcements, here is your guide to the three major travel industry trade shows in Russia this year.
Part 1: The Industry Heavyweight – MITT (Moscow)
If you have budget for only one show, this is it. The Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (MITT) remains the largest and longest-running travel trade show in Russia.
The Event
- Name: MITT 2027 (33nd International Exhibition of Tourism and Hospitality)
- Dates: April 13–15, 2027
- Venue: Crocus Expo, Moscow
Why It Matters
MITT is the “center of decision-making” for the Russian travel industry. It is where national tour operators, regional tourism administrations, and international destinations come to sign contracts for the year ahead. The scale is substantial:
- 16,427 visitors from 83 Russian regions and 72 countries
- 1,108 participants from 34 countries and 54 Russian regions
- 17,500 sqm of exhibition space
Who Will You Meet?
The attendee list reads like a who’s who of Russian travel: regional tourism authorities, tourist information centers, tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, corporate event organizers, and IT solution providers for the tourism industry.
Highlights
Three specialized expositions within the main show: “Wellness and Medical Tourism,” “Glamping,” and “Caravanning”. The business program is equally robust: 31 events, 265 speakers, and 3,807 attendees across various forums and seminars. The event also saw significant international participation, with China hosting a “China Tourism Promotion Day” at the 2026 edition.
Strategic Takeaway
Go to MITT for high-volume commercial deal-making. This is the event for signing distribution agreements, launching new products to the trade, and benchmarking against competitors. If your target is the federal Russian market, you exhibit here.
Part 2: The Regional Powerhouse – INTOURMARKET (Nizhny Novgorod)
While MITT commands the federal stage, INTOURMARKET has carved out a critical niche: regional and domestic hospitality.
The Event
- Name: INTOURMARKET 2027 (International Fair of Regional Hospitality)
- Dates: April 1–3, 2027
- Venue: Nizhny Novgorod Fair, Nizhny Novgorod
Why It Matters
INTOURMARKET is the definitive event for domestic tourism within Russia. It is supported by the Russian government and focuses on presenting the tourism products of Russia’s regions. With international outbound travel facing challenges, domestic routes have surged in importance, making this show highly relevant.
Who Will You Meet?
The audience is a mix of professional buyers and consumers. For trade professionals, the highlight is the Hosted Buyer Program—a specialized networking platform where organizers bring qualified travel professionals from across Russia to meet exhibitors. The fair covers: cultural and adventure tourism, river and sea cruises, health and medical tourism, hotel and restaurant services, transport and IT solutions, and museums and national parks.
The Business Program
Over 120 business events with federal experts. Key partners include the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST), the Association of Tour Operators (ATOR), and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI). More than 300 speakers are featured across 7 stages, with over 160 hours of programming.
Strategic Takeaway
Go to INTOURMARKET to build regional distribution. If you want to sell to the Russian regions—not just Moscow and St. Petersburg—this is your event. The Hosted Buyer program provides direct access to decision-makers from across the country.
Part 3: The State’s Flagship – “Let’s Travel!” / “Puteshestvuy!” (Moscow)
This is not merely a trade show; it is a multi-format forum and festival organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the direct support of the Ministry of Economic Development and the Russian Government.
The Event
- Name: “Let’s Travel!” International Tourism Forum (Puteshestvuy!)
- Dates: June 10–14, 2026
- Venue: VDNH Exhibition Grounds, Moscow
Why It Matters
This forum carries the weight of state policy. It is where the government reports on the results of the “Tourism and Hospitality” national project and outlines future strategy. The 2026 edition is particularly significant, as it coincides with the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, proclaimed by Presidential decree.
Scale & Participation
- 75 Russian regions confirmed
- More than 30 countries, including China, Cuba, Venezuela, the UAE, and Vietnam
The Three Pillars of the Business Program
The forum’s business program is structured around three themes:
- Product: Sustainable industry growth and destination attractiveness
- Promotion: Marketing and communication strategies
- Infrastructure: Where to stay and how to get there
More than 50 sessions and 300 speakers are featured. A notable highlight is the plenary session: “Time to Travel: A Variety of Impressions Accessible to Everyone”.
The Festival Component
Unlike pure B2B events, “Let’s Travel!” is open to the public, functioning as a major festival. It features:
- A festival parade and opening ceremony
- Regional and international cultural expositions
- A “Mobile Guide” digital service
- Over 500 activities at various stands
- A youth game show: “Who Wants to Be a Traveler?”
Strategic Takeaway
Go to “Let’s Travel!” for policy intelligence and public visibility. This is the event for understanding government subsidies, infrastructure development plans, and the official direction of Russian tourism. It is also unmissable for B2C-facing brands looking to engage directly with Russian travelers.
Strategic Comparison: Which Show Fits Your Goal?
| Feature | MITT (March) | INTOURMARKET (April) | “Let’s Travel!” (June) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | National & International Trade | Regional & Domestic Hospitality | State Strategy & Public Festival |
| Best for… | Tour operators, DMCs, Hotel chains, National tourism boards | Regional DMOs, Glamping, Rural tourism, Sanatoriums | Government affairs, Infrastructure developers, B2C brands |
| The Buyer | Travel agents, Tour operators, Corporate travel buyers | Regional tourism officials, Hosted buyers from Russian regions | Government officials, Media, General public (festival) |
| Key Trend 2026 | Wellness tourism, Glamping, Caravanning | Domestic travel growth, Regional product development | AI personalization, Roadside infrastructure, Patriotic tourism |
| Venue Vibe | High-volume deal-making, Professional | Regional showcase, Focused networking | Policy depth with festival atmosphere |
The Bottom Line for 2026
Russia’s travel trade show landscape in 2026 offers a clear progression from commercial intensity to regional depth to state-level strategy.
- March (MITT): The essential commercial event for signing contracts and launching products to the federal trade audience.
- April (INTOURMARKET): The regional specialist’s choice for penetrating Russia’s domestic markets and accessing hosted buyers.
- June (“Let’s Travel!”): The government’s flagship event for understanding policy direction, showcasing to the public, and participating in a major festival.
Whether you are a tour operator seeking partners, a hotel chain expanding into Russia, or a technology provider targeting the tourism sector, 2026/27 offers a clear entry point. The Russian travel market is open, growing, and actively seeking new connections—you simply need to choose the right door.
