Makhachkala, July 21, 2014. After the pre-Olympic events and changes in management of the "North Caucasus Resorts" corporation, many figured they’ll permanently freeze construction of the "Matlas" tourism cluster in Daghestan’s mountainous Hunzakh region. The region’s huge potential – the spa resources (dozens of medicinal mineral water springs), cultural and historical monuments (some of them date back to BC ages), unique nature, and the favorable microclimate of the Hunzakh plateau – shall attract lots of tourists and thus kickstart economic growth in the region.
The "Matlas" resort potentially possesses ski trails 109 km long, snowed trails 44 km long, 1,805-2,767 m foot-to-peak elevation, accommodation in cottages and hotels for 3,000-7,000 visitors, 19 chairlift, and the daily capacity of 18,500 people.
Daghestan enjoys a great tourism potential provided by its nature. In mid-80s, it was a priority tourist area of the Soviet Union. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the country came to the warm Caspian coast, visited the Nara-Kala fortress in Derbent, and had a rest at the "Eagle's Nest" camp site near Gunib village. The tourist flow was observed seasonally – in beach tourism. The "Matlas" project had to open a new page in the year-round tourism in Daghestan.
Large-scale infrastructure projects seem to be the lever in developing Daghestan economy. Attracting private investment, new on-spot jobs, and a foundation for agricultural development provide employment and cultural exchange with other regions, thus increasing the standard of living and strengthening the unity of our country. The future of the country rests in projects revealing the potential of Daghestan’s lush nature and the human potential of dignified and hospitable mountaineers.
