Restrictions regarding the entrance of foreign citizens to North Ossetia have been lifted

A decree of the government of the Russian Federation from the 18th of September 2012  №935 “ On amendments to the list of territories of the Russian Federation with limited entry to foreign nationals”, meaning that  restrictions have been lifted regarding visits by foreign citizens on to part of the territory of the Republic of Northern Ossetia-Alania. The Alagirskyi district of the Republic is now also open to foreigners, a region into which free entry has been prohibited since 1992. Construction of an all season mountain skying complex Mamison started here in 2010, which also falls on to the territory of the Alagirskyi district of the Republic of Northern Ossetia-Alania.

“Considering that the project is aimed at attracting tourists not only from Russia, but also from other countries, we’re working on the question of having restrictions lifted that prohibit foreigners from visiting this developing territory. And the decree №935 - is the first step in addressing this issue.” – told us the Deputy General Director of the JSC “Resorts of the Northern Caucasus” Vladimir Evdokimov.

The document, which was signed by the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, opens up the opportunity for foreign citizens to use roads for transit,  such as Narzan-Beslan-Nalchik,  Upper Lars - Vladikavkaz, Lower Zaramag - Alagir, Alagir - Ardon - highway M-29, also roads which link Vladikavkaz with the Vladikavkas airport (Beslan) with highway M-29, and allows them the use of the railway lines Nazran - Beslan Murtazov, Vladikavkaz - Beslan, Alagir - Elkhotovo and Gudermes - Mozdok – Prokhladnaya.

“Our foreign investors are already encountering problems regarding entry on to the territory during acquaintance business trips to the site. Mamison – is a large scale project, with a massive geography of the members involved in all phases of its realisation. And we understand that this needs to be considered”, - underlined Mr Evdokimov. He also highlighted that when Mamison opens and goes into full swing, there is an expected flow of foreign tourists, which are already showing interest in the Northern Caucasus tourism cluster.  “If any kinds of restrictions exist the tourist will just choose another place for their vacation. We’re glad, that the government understands this and are contributing to solving the problem”, - stated Vladimir Evdokimov.

The Mamison all season mountain skying complex project is being realised on the territories of the Alagirkyi and Irafskyi regions of the Republic of Northern Ossetia – Alania. When it is fully completed its total area will cover 84 000 hectares. 196 km of mountain ski tacks will be created, and 50 ski lifts will be installed. The site is capable of accommodating 30 000 people per day. The potential for creating places in hotels is estimated to be 25 000.

A network of world class mountain skying resorts are planned to be built in the South of Russia by 2020, as part of the tourism cluster project. These include: Lagonaki (Krasnodar region of Adygea), Arkhyz (Karachay-Cherkessia), Elbrus-Bezengi (Kabardino-Balkaria), Mamison (North Ossetia - Alania), Matlas (Dagestan), and Tsori Armkhi (Ingushetia), and also beach resorts on the shore of the Caspian Sea (Dagestan). The combined length of the ski tracks will be almost 1100 km; and over 220 ski lifts will be installed. The daily intake of the ski resorts will reach 172 000 people. It is expected, that the Northern Caucasus tourism cluster will welcome 5-10 million holiday makers annually. The project presupposes the creation of up to 330 000 jobs in the region.