Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 16 (IANS): Kerala Tourism has marked its presence OTDYKH Leisure, a leading international trade fair for travel and tourism, currently underway in Moscow, a state minister said on Wednesday.

Kerala Tourism will also hold a road show at St Petersburg.

The four-day OTDYKH Leisure is the largest international autumn trade fair for tourism in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States countries. Tt ends on Friday.

"Since Russia is one of the 43 countries recognised for the 'Tourist Visa on Arrival' facility, the state's exhaustive marketing in the trade fair is expected to create a huge stride in tourist arrivals from this country," said Kerala Tourism Minister A.P Anil Kumar.

The Kerala Tourism's 32 square metre stall at OTDYKH Leisure shows off its famed backwaters, beach and ayurveda.

The state welcomed 35,010 Russian visitors in 2014, up from 32,000 in 2013.

Tourism director, P.I.Sheik Pareeth, who is leading the Kerala delegation, said last year's increase in the number of Russian visitors to the state, coupled with their interest in beaches, convinced the officials to market 'God's Own Country' with its serene beaches as one of the USPs.

"The Indian embassy in Russia has also offered support for expanding the Kerala tourism market and for conducting cultural exchange programmes," he added.