MAKHACHKALA, November 9 – RIA Dagestan. The municipal administration of Makhachkala has reported robust growth in the regional tourism sector, with the capital welcoming approximately 700,000 visitors this season, an increase of 20,000 from the previous year. Emilia Radzhabova, Deputy Mayor of Makhachkala, highlighted the sector's rapid recovery and sustained expansion.
Following an emergency situation that initially triggered a 30% tour cancellation rate, targeted municipal efforts facilitated a swift recovery. By August, tourist flows stabilized and by September, they exceeded historical benchmarks. Notably, the city has seen a significant influx of visitors from the Urals, Siberia, and the Volga region, totaling approximately 120,000 guests, indicating successful market diversification.
Supporting this growth, the city maintained 192 accommodation facilities with a total capacity of 9,442 beds. This infrastructural readiness, coupled with the city's rich cultural offerings, recently secured Makhachkala first place in the All-Russian "Tourist Cities" award for "Best City for Spiritual and Educational Tourism", validating the administration's strategic focus on sustainable cultural tourism development.