Chechnya ski bid may upset Austria

The wave of wealthy Russians flocking to slopes in Austria may recede in the near future as leaders in the former Soviet country revealed plans to develop a winter wonderland in the Republic of Chechnya. Russian newspapers reported today (Thurs) that Kremlin leaders and a group of oligarchs have joined forces to create a ski resort in war-stricken Chechnya. Political leaders and businessmen hope that a 300-million-Euro investment in the volatile Caucasus region will slash the number of Russians heading to Austria and other Alpine countries to go skiing.

Chechnya is to market itself as ”a Swiss-style” ski resort in an improbable bid to attract Russian and foreign tourists. If the plan succeeds, it will be one of the most radical makeovers in the history of global tourism. The southern Russian republic is better known for suicide bombings, kidnappings and two brutal wars than for apres ski parties and designers ski wear.