© Photo: Maria Novoselova/Vestnik Kavkaza
Is it worth going to Dagestan? Vice-President of ATOR Sergey Romashkin named a unique combination of Dagestan’s advantages that other republics of the North Caucasus do not have, urging them to adopt the neighbour’s experience.
Dagestan is the undisputed leader in tourist flow among the republics of the North Caucasus both last and this year, and this is explained by a unique combination of the core principles important for vacation, that cannot be found in other regions of the North Caucasus Federal District, the vice-president of ATOR for domestic tourism and director general of the Dolphin tour operator Sergey Romashkin told the Vestnik Kavkaza correspondent.
© Photo: Maria Novoselova/Vestnik Kavkaza
“Firstly, we are talking about a seashore, which is not found in any other republic. Tourists do not swim often, but the sea is important for them, they love to just walk along the embankment, watch the sunrise or sunset. Secondly, this is the ancient history of Dagestan. Derbent is nearly the same age as Rome, it is 2000 years old. Ancient Derbent fortresses, mosques provide powerful tourist experience. The third is what all the republics of the North Caucasus Federal District have: the unique Caucasian nature, canyons, dunes, trips to the mountains,” the vice-president of ATOR said.
© Photo: Maria Novoselova/Vestnik Kavkaza
He explained that Dagestan is in the first place today, with a serious gap from neighboring regions. “We estimate that the tourist flow to Dagestan will approach two million people this year,” Romashkin said.
He called on neighboring regions to consider the experience of Dagestan, and perhaps, take advantage of its popularity for their own promotion. “We have many routes that are interregional. When tourists come to Caucasian Mineral Waters, they pass through the Stavropol Territory, Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya and come to Dagestan for several days. Such transit routes, for example, three or four regions in 7 days, allow more weak regions to take advantage of the popularity of stronger neighbours,” the expert said.
© Photo: Maria Novoselova/Vestnik Kavkaza
Romashkin added that Stavropol Territory competes with Dagestan on equal terms, but not due to natural attractions, but thanks to the Caucasian Mineral Waters region, where medical tourism is developed.
