Russia's Bold Plan to Merge Three Major Ski Resorts into One Mega-Destination
A bold plan to merge three major ski resorts in southern Russia has been presented to President Vladimir Putin. Alexander Tkachov, chairman of Mantera Group, proposed the project, which aims to create a single mega-resort linking Sochi, Arkhyz, and Lago-Naki. The scheme could attract millions more tourists but depends on significant state funding and infrastructure work.
Mantera Group, which already manages 7,000 hotel rooms and employs 9,000 staff, currently welcomes nearly 7 million visitors each year. The proposed merger would add at least 1.5 million more tourists annually, with long-term projections targeting 8 million extra visitors. To achieve this, the company plans to build 550 kilometres of new roads, including two major routes and tunnels, cutting travel time between resorts.
The project's estimated timeline spans five to ten years. Mantera Group has requested state support for roughly 30 percent of the costs. During the meeting, Putin listened to the proposal but did not commit to any funding or guarantees.
The company recently opened Mantera Supreme, a luxury five-star-plus hotel on the federal territory of Sirius. The property has already been named Russia's best hotel, highlighting the group's ambition for high-end tourism development.
If approved, the mega-resort would transform travel in the region by reducing journey times and improving access. The success of the plan hinges on securing government backing and completing the extensive road network. Mantera Group's track record in hospitality suggests the project could reshape southern Russia's tourism industry.
