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Summary Russia's representative to its North Caucasus region called for tourism to be halted at the country's most popular ski resort, where three Moscow tourists were gunned down by suspected extremist rebels.
Security has been heightened since the shoot-out and a spate of other attacks including blowing up a cable-car, killing a policeman and an official in Kabardino-Balkaria in North Caucasus. The violence has shocked ordinary Russians and officials alike who see Mount Elbrus, Europes highest peak, as an oasis of calm in the North Caucasus. Russias Tourism Union said around 5,000 tourists visit Elbrus annually and the attack on a minibus of Moscow skiers by masked assailants was the first terrorist attack on tourists in Russia. Rebels, who want an Islamic state in the North Caucasus separate from Russia, claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 36 people at Moscows busiest airport last month.The Russian Tourism Union warned of a worsening situation if security measures are not significantly beefed up. This is a very dangerous situation. Kabardino-Balkaria has nothing but tourism, said spokesperson Irina Tyurina. Alexander Khloponin, Vicegerent in the Caucasus republics, called on travel companies to not bring new groups and explain to them this is in the name of security.
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