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North Caucasus resorts very popular with tourists – Khloponin

The tourist inflow to the “Arkhyz” resort was expected to grow by 20-25%

© TASS/Lev Fedoseev

CHERKESSK, November 10. /TASS/. The resorts of the North Caucasus Federal District are very popular with tourists while the Karachay-Cherkess Republic is one of the important mountain skiing centers in Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin said at a meeting with head of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic Rashid Temrezov in Moscow.

“The meeting’s participants focused on the projects that the Karachay-Cherkess Republic has to offer to implement the state program dubbed “2025 North Caucasus Development Agenda”. They also discussed the preparations for the upcoming winter season,” the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs said in a statement.

Khloponin pointed out that Karachay-Cherkessia was one of the mountain skiing centers of the country where the tourist inflow had been growing year after year, especially during the ‘high season’. “The North Caucasus resorts, including those in Karachay-Cherkessia, have always been very popular with tourists. The construction of modern mountain skiing complexes has opened new possibilities for outdoor activities so the tourist inflow will be increasing even more,” the ministry’s press service quoted Khloponin as saying.

The deputy prime minister noted that with the growing tourist inflow came great responsibility for those engaged in the tourist industry, both on the federal and local level, including management companies, hotels and other private businesses. “While preparing for the season, all the services should coordinate their activities,” Khloponin stressed.

General Director of the North Caucasus Resorts joint stock company Oleg Gorchev, present at the meeting, noted that the tourist inflow to the “Arkhyz” resort was expected to grow by 20-25%. Last year, when 130,000 tourists visited the resort, the tourist inflow increased by 30-35% compared to the 2014-2015 season. According to Gorchev, preparations for the ski season are being completed: the snow-making system has been reactivated, ski trails are being prepared, revamping of the resort’s facilities has entered its final stage.

The North Caucasus Resorts company says that if sub-zero temperatures remain, the season at the Arkhyz resort could be opened in early December.

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