Khloponin: tourists are concerned with issues of service, rather than security in North Caucasus

The presidential plenipotentiary envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District, Alexander Khloponin, believes that foreign tourists are more concerned with quality service than security issues. Khloponin proposed to further develop ski tourism in Ingushetia, as well as historic walks and jeep riding.

The North Caucasus expects to build five new world-class ski resorts in the next ten years. The authorities believe that the region will be visited by 10 million tourists per year. In December 2010, the state company "Resorts of the North Caucasus" for tourism sector development was created. Investment should exceed 900 billion rubles. Meanwhile, some politicians and economists believe that the criminal behaviour of militant groups prevents development of the tourism infrastructure in the country.