The North Caucasus’ annual tourist flow potential is 10 million. This estimate was voiced by Mr. Alexey Konyushkov, Deputy Head of the RF Federal Tourism Agency, during the Roundtable “Caucasus - Birthplace of Hospitality” held as part of Intermarket-2016 International Tourist Exhibition with support of the RF Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs.

“In 2013 the North Caucasus regions received about 1.2 million tourists, while already 2.8 million arrived in 2015. We estimate that the growth potential in this area will be 10 million tourists annually. For comparison, the Crimea receives about 5 million visitors per annum,” told Alexey Konyushkov. In his opening speech, Alexey Konyushkov stressed the importance of combining the resources of all stakeholders in the North Caucasus in promoting unique tourism potential of the region. “We are delighted to see here, at Intermarket, the combined exposition booth which is a real adornment of the exposition. 2014 witnessed a trend change in the travel industry. Currently, high emphasis is placed by the State on development of domestic tourism, including toursim in the Caucasus region. Great resources are invested via NCR JSC and Rosturizm. All this flows into one money box, meaning resorts of the North Caucasus which will get development,” he said.

In the opinion of Mrs. Olga Rukhullayeva, Director of Investment Projects Department of the RF Ministry of the North Caucasus Affairs, the goal of the Roundtable was to synchronize actions of all participants in development and promotion of the North Caucasian travel products. “We are to tell about the potential, specific travel products that we have, and jointly develop conceptual approaches to tourism development,” said Director of Investment Projects Department of the RF Ministry of the North Caucasus Affairs. "Soon we are to apply to the Government with specific proposals. They will deal with synchronization of federal tourism support programs, such as special economic zones developed by NCR JSC, Rosturizm’s tourist clusters, SME projects supported in the regional level. We must build a common logic and support these projects. The Great Silk Road project, under which yesterday an agreement was signed between all the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District is the first step in synchronization path. We must work together to kick it off within a year, so that the next Inturmarket would see a ready product”, said Olga Ruhullaeva.

According to Mr. Khasan Timizhev, Director of Expert Analyses Department of NCR JSC, who took part in the discussion, the Company has been addressing marketing promotion of the potential of all the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District. “With this end in view, we developed an umbrella resort brand with ornaments reflecting the cultural and historical features of each of the regions where tourism sites are located. It is for the first time that the common North Caucasus booth at Intermarket was decorated according to the umbrella brand, and we support its use throughout the region,” told Hasan Timizhev. Besides, he stressed that tourism in the Caucasus should be developed as a whole. “The North-Caucasus tourism cluster was the first step on the side of the RF Government to unite the tourism potential of the Northern Caucasus. Now we are successfully moving in this direction and suggest emerging issues be jointly addressed”, Mr. Timizhev concluded.

During the event, representatives of all profile tourism agencies in constituents of the North Caucasus Federal District talked about achievements in development of the industry and made their suggestions on measures needed as part of creating a single tourist product in the Northern Caucasus. In addition, representatives of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District and the Ural Federal District shared their experiences in implementing projects on establishment of integrated tourist information centres and introduction of umbrella brands in their respective territories. During the event the following issues were addressed: development of legislative framework as to certification of tourist operators and guides, training personnel for tourism industry and support of small businesses interested in participation in the tourism industry.