Recently the Forbes magazine included Russia in its annual list of the most dangerous destinations. And though they explained that it referred only to the North Caucasian republics, it has definitely harmed the general travel image of Russia. However, the US Department of State has a different view on the situation.
The similar list issued by the Department of State consists of 26 countries. Russia is not among them, though after terrorists captured the school in Beslan, blasted two passenger planes and carried out terror acts in the public places in Moscow in 2004, Russia was on the list for some time. The Department of State only recommends Americans not to travel to Chechnya and neighboring regions. As the Consular department of Russia in Washington DC has said to ITAR-TASS, the spring travel season is already starting and the stream of American tourists traveling to Russia is increasing each day. Nobody expresses any fears or even doubts concerning safety. As for the Caucasian region, not every area of it is a battleground or a place of kidnapping. Just on the contrary, many Caucasian republics are trying hard to attract tourists now. For example, Dagestan has made the tourism development program that includes building a ski resort and hotels in the nearest years; the republic expects an increase in the flow of tourists and it is ready to guarantee safe holidays at their resorts.
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