Features of islamic tourism

Abstract

This paper refers to the evolution and development of halal tourism in Russia. To disclose the historical background, basic requirements, problems and prospects of tourism destination development, analytical, synthetic and statistical methods of investigation have been used. The international market of halal products is gaining its potential together with the growth of the Islamic population and the spread of the Islamic traditions. Therefore, the particular attention has been paid to the analysis of the demographic development of Muslims which indicates in general the high dynamics of population growth in the Islamic countries. The analysis of tourist exchange between Muslim states and Russia shows a negative balance today. There is a passivity of Muslim countries citizens in terms of outbound tourism. This complicates the halal tourism development in general, whereas the consumption of halal products on the part of non-Muslim countries population increases. Halal industry in the Russian Federation has originated recently. Therefore this area of expertise is underexplored in scientific terms, and the conceptual apparatus is being developed. Historically there have been Muslim regions on the territory of Russia, nevertheless halal tourism is just beginning to develop, and a long period of time is needed for its dynamic growth. The largest producer and consumer countries of halal products have been highlighted in the paper. Some measures for the development of the Islamic economy, especially the purposeful activities of Tatarstan's authorities, one of the most industrialized regions of Russia with more than half of Muslim population, have been also analyzed.