The formal approach of officials deprived Kabardino-Balkaria of tourism dividends

The budget of Kabardino-Balkaria would have significantly more funds from tourism if officials had developed a targeted program for its development. However, at the current stage, vacationers face broken roads, dumps, and poor infrastructure in the republic, noted representatives of the local tourism industry interviewed by "Caucasian Knot."

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on July 3, residents of Kabardino-Balkaria criticized the authorities' report on tourism development. The Ministry of Resorts of Kabardino-Balkaria announced its intention to work with Moscow State University to improve staff qualifications and conduct research. Local residents, commenting on the ministry's report on social media, pointed out to officials that the development of tourism is hindered by unresolved issues with waste disposal, broken roads, and high gasoline prices.

There would be three times more tourists in Kabardino-Balkaria if the authorities addressed a number of issues related to tourism – a crucial area for the development of the republic's economy, noted local historian and publisher Viktor Kotlyarov. "Tourism is what the republic can thrive on. Meanwhile, there is no targeted policy for its development aimed at the future," he told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

According to Kotlyarov, first and foremost, it is necessary to promote Kabardino-Balkaria as a unique region.

"We are not engaged in promotion at all. We have been in this market for 25 years. We have published 78 books about the republic's attractions. We do this not for profit, but because we love the republic, which is unmatched in its uniqueness. However, none of our projects have been supported by the authorities. The Ministry of Tourism has never approached us on any issue, even though no one knows this field better than we do," the historian noted.

He emphasized that there should be a targeted state policy in the field of tourism promotion. "The tourism sector is primarily about filling the budget; it is what the republic can develop on. I believe that a serious targeted program for the development of the tourism sector is needed," Kotlyarov stressed.

Authorities need to pay attention to the ecology of the Elbrus region, noted resident of Tyrnauz Svetlana Kanametova, who works in tourism and organizes trips for foreign tourists to Kabardino-Balkaria.

"Guest houses are being built in the Elbrus region here and there, often without registration, connecting them to utilities, and due to their wear and tear, since they were built back in Soviet times, they cannot withstand it, and sewage flows into the Baksan River. At the same time, centuries-old pines are being cut down. I was recently in Terskol; there is garbage, stumps, and dumps everywhere. You can't imagine what this unique place has turned into. Houses are like birdhouses at every step. Riverbeds are not cleaned after avalanches," she told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

Recently, the number of tourists in Kabardino-Balkaria has decreased due to rising gasoline prices, noted resident of the village of Neitrino in the Elbrus district Madina Tsakoeva. "Many from nearby regions come in their cars, and gasoline prices have affected the flow of auto tourists," she explained to a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

The Federal Law "On the Basics of Tourist Activity in the Russian Federation" explicitly states that authorities must create and ensure favorable conditions for tourism, emphasized Nalchik lawyer Oleg Sergeev.

"In particular, this concerns the development of infrastructure – roads, accommodation facilities, catering, ski trails, and communal infrastructure – water supply and sewage networks. It is necessary to provide the tourism sector with specialists," he told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

Authorities are also responsible for ensuring a favorable environment. This obligation is regulated by the Federal Law "On Environmental Protection," which provides for the development of measures for environmental protection, conducting impact assessments, and carrying out environmental supervision, the lawyer continued.

"In Kabardino-Balkaria, there are no clearly established mechanisms for environmental monitoring and regulating flows, which increases the risks of losing the recreational value of the sites," Sergeev pointed out.

Recall that residents of Kabardino-Balkaria have repeatedly complained about problems with waste disposal. In particular, in August 2025, more than 7,400 people signed a petition demanding to stop cooperation with the company "Ekologistika" as a regional operator for waste disposal. Since May 15, a new operator "Ekotechprom" has been operating in Kabardino-Balkaria. However, residents of the republic noted that there has not yet been a fundamental improvement in the situation since the start of "Ekotechprom's" work.