Pavel Tsoroyev, Magas. Exclusive to VK
After Ingushetia joined the North Caucasus touristic cluster project, the republic created the Committee on Tourism which will promote the Ingush tourist product. Magas hopes that tourism will be an accelerator for the other segments of economy connected with commerce, agriculture, hotel business and construction and will contribute to the settlement of the biggest problem, unemployment.
“We maintain high information work, because they say nature abhors a vacuum. If we weaken ties, our competitors will beat us,” the chairman of the committee, Batyr Malsagov, told VK. “Today we encourage our people to establish new work places at their homes and to participate in the program of country tourism.”
One of the most effective methods of promotion of the touristic product is the organization of press tours. Pavel Tsoroyev, VK’s journalist, talked to the participants of one of them.
Editor-in-chief of almanac Journey across Russia, Yulia Sigorskaya
This is my first visit to Ingushetia. We went to the mountains and they charmed me. There is great potential for tourism development. First of all the logistics of trips and the development of routes are necessary. Our tourists are high-fed, but the mountains of Ingushetia have something that no other place has. Believe me, I’ve been to many places. I think no more than 10% of the population is aware of this land. We will contribute to the promotion of the touristic area of Ingushetia and share our experience. In the future Ingushetia might be a touristic center like the Golden Ring of Russia, Baikal and others. The architecture monuments are amazing. The composition of good PR and establishing of effective infrastructure will give good results. It is not necessary to build five-star hotels in the mountains of Ingushetia. Hospitable and interesting people live here. Traveling unites people.
Editor-in-chief of the magazine High Season, Galina Kuchinskaya
We have visited Ingushetia and its mountains for the first time. It is a unique place. Many historic architecture monuments are situated here; unique virgin nature; and hospitable people. All these components are gathered in one place. We stayed at the home of a local family, ate their food, shared their household problems, and listened to their ancient tales. This is the salt. The guest tourism will be an engine that will improve other spheres. I know people who are ready to pay for living in an Ingush family. Of course the service level should be improved. Moreover, strict rules for tourists’ behavior should be developed.
The deputy director on scientific work in the state natural park Rostov, zoologist and journalist, Alexander Yevkovich
I have been working with Caucasus nature for 30 years. I was surprised by two aspects – the preservation and intensity of historic monuments. This treasure should be secured. I think the mountain area must not be overwhelmed by infrastructural facilities, but people should have an opportunity for free travelling. People are afraid of coming to Ingushetia having stereotypes in mind.
A representative of the Ecological Tourism Club “Neutrino” (Moscow), Tatyana Volkova
We organize horse trips and backpacker trips to the mountains of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. Now we are going to spread our activity into Ingushetia. The Committee on Tourism of the Republic of Ingushetia supported our initiatives. Our aim is to develop internal tourism. You mountains are perfect for horse tourism. If all roads are covered with asphalt, it will damage this direction of tourism.
Another way of promotion of Ingushetia is carrying out big shows here. Ahead of the republic’s anniversary modern gladiators (M-1 wrestlers) held “The Battle in Mountains.” Both young (Magomed Aushev) and experienced (Alexander Yemelyanenko, Ibragim Magomedov) wrestlers participated. The show new ancient towers in mountains gathered about 20 thousand people. Now such arrangements will take place annually.
