Tourism in the North Caucasus Federal District was four times higher than the Russian average in 2025.

Last year, demand for tourist travel to the North Caucasus Federal District grew four times faster than the national average. These figures were announced at the Caucasus Investment Forum in Mineralnye Vody, where the Russian Ministry of Economic Development presented the results of tourism development in the region as part of the national project "Tourism and Hospitality." The North Caucasus Federal District welcomed 3.6 million tourists, an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year. By comparison, the national average for tourist flow was 2.2%. The highest growth rates were recorded in Chechnya (+35%), as well as North Ossetia and Karachay-Cherkessia (both +20%). In Dagestan, after adjusting for adjusted figures, growth of 11% was recorded. Regarding the winter season—from November to March—according to the ministry's latest data, the district confidently exceeded last year's target: 1.1 million trips were made, an increase of 19%. Skiing holidays were the growth driver, contributing to an 18% increase. The Ministry of Economic Development noted that the situation remains challenging in several regions of the Caucasus, but emphasized that once the situation normalizes, travel demand will quickly return to normal levels.

Speaking at the forum, Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov also spoke about the government's systematic efforts to increase hotel room capacity.

"The construction of 2,500 rooms in modular hotels has been supported—74 projects with a total funding of 3.7 billion rubles for the period 2025–2027." Another 7,500 rooms will be created under the preferential lending program: of the 40 approved projects, two hotels have already been commissioned in Stavropol Krai and one in Karachay-Cherkessia (all three are scheduled to open in 2024). Furthermore, a new cable car in Dombay is being built using the preferential loan. The quality of the rooms is also a priority. According to the minister, 1,800 accommodation facilities in the district have been classified, 70% of which are new properties that were not previously included in the register and have emerged from the shadow economy. As part of the experiment in Dagestan and Stavropol Krai, more than 1,500 rooms (183 properties) have been added to the guesthouse register. All this directly contributes to the economic recovery of the region," Reshetnikov emphasized.

The development of ski resorts was also discussed at the forum. According to the Ministry of Economic Development, this process has been significantly accelerated thanks to the special economic zones (SEZs) and the concentration of state support measures within them. Thanks to the state program Kavkaz.RF, 12 infrastructure facilities were launched last year alone: ​​ski slopes, cable cars, and snowmaking systems. This is motivating business—over 30 new residents arrived last year to build hotels, restaurants, and recreation areas. At the same time, the resorts are transitioning to Russian technology. As Maxim Reshetnikov noted, the further development of Elbrus and Arkhyz will be ensured by a completely domestic technological chain: cable cars, control systems, and lift software. Together with Kavkaz.RF, proposals are also being developed to improve tourist safety during ascents—in line with the objectives set by the President to improve the quality and safety of tourism services. They will begin with Elbrus, one of the most popular and challenging climbing points in the country. Plans include introducing control over the presence of a guide for groups, engaging rescue units, and providing medical support.

Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov stated at the forum: "The resorts of the Caucasus are transitioning to a completely Russian technological chain. We're talking about cable cars, control systems, and software for lifts on Elbrus and Arkhyz. We're also developing proposals to enhance tourist safety during ascents—we'll start with Elbrus, where we'll introduce controls to ensure groups have guides and strengthen medical support. All of this work is being carried out within the framework of the "Tourism and Hospitality" national project, which is under the personal supervision of the President.

A separate section of the presentation at the Caucasus Investment Forum was dedicated to the new art resort, Mamison. Andrey Yumshanov, CEO of Kavkaz.RF, addressed the forum participants and presented the results of the first ski season and projects by SEZ residents—concept hotels resembling an astronaut base and cottages made from Ossetian dolomite. According to Yumshanov, Mamison welcomed 100,000 people in its first season and has prepared a year-round program of activities focusing on creativity and self-development. The hotels are already fully booked for the May holidays, and summer bookings are actively underway. The head of Kavkaz.RF also emphasized that Mamison is the first major mountain project in the country to be built since the introduction of European sanctions on equipment and technology in 2022. Moreover, the resort has become a catalyst for import substitution in the country: the Russian company Ruslet, in response to requests from Kavkaz.RF and other resorts, developed the first domestically produced detachable clamp for cable cars. The development process took several years, and now all Kavkaz.RF cable cars are equipped with domestic equipment and software.

Andrey Yumshanov, CEO of Kavkaz.RF, noted in his speech at the forum: "Mamison has become the country's first major mountain project built after the introduction of European sanctions on equipment and technology in 2022. The resort has become a catalyst for import substitution in the country: the Russian company Ruslet, in response to requests from Kavkaz.RF and other resorts, developed the first domestically produced detachable clamp for cable cars. The development process took several years, and now all Kavkaz.RF cable cars are equipped with domestic equipment and software. Plans include the delivery of four cable cars to expand the ski area of ​​the legendary Elbrus, which, under the management of Kavkaz.RF, is aiming for a million-strong tourist flow, growing by 10-15% annually. All these achievements have been made possible thanks to the President's systematic support and the implementation of the national "Tourism and Hospitality" project.