Organizers: Roskachestvo, Roscongress Foundation

Venue: Kazan, Kazan Expo Exhibition Center, Hall 14

Time: 19.05.2023, 14:40-16:00

Moderator: Sagid Zaremukov, Director of the National Congress Bureau.

Speakers:

Protasov Maxim Aleksandrovich, Head, ANO "Russian Quality System";

Alexander Solovjev, Deputy Head of Federal Accreditation Service;

Rustam Vakhaevich Tapaev, Advisor to General Director of JSC "Northern Caucasus Resorts";

Igor Bukharov, President of Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers, Dean of Faculty of Hospitality of Institute of branch management;

Elena Veselova, development director of The Carlton Moscow 5* hotel;

Nizar Al Gandour, Director of International Relations at FAMBRAS HALAL;

Kamoliddin Muminzod, Chairman, Tourism Development Committee under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan;

Sergey Ivanov, Chairman, State Committee of the Republic of Tatarstan for Tourism;

Merdanov Emin Merdanovich, Minister of Tourism and Folk Arts and Crafts of the Republic of Dagestan.

Halal tourism is a fast-growing market sector. With the increasing number of members of the Muslim middle class and the growth of their incomes, many countries, regardless of whether they are Muslim or not, are trying to attract this category of travelers and adapt their services for Muslim guests. In Russia, halal tourism is a relatively new trend. Due to increased demand, the Russian market today is facing a shortage of qualified personnel for the production of goods and services and their certification according to halal standards.

The head of Roskachestvo Maxim Protasov said that the volume of the halal market in the world in 2022 was 151 billion dollars, and by the end of 2023 it is planned to grow to 243 billion dollars. Russia ranks first in Europe in terms of the Muslim population, so the tourist infrastructure should meet their religious requirements. Russia needs to develop a standard for hotels and restaurants, as it is done in the OIC countries. For this purpose, created and accredited center "Roskachestvo. Halal", which will evaluate and issue certificates for establishments.

Chairman of the State Committee of Tatarstan on tourism Sergey Ivanov said that Tatarstan is one of the leaders of halal tourism in Russia. The Republic pays much attention to attracting tourists from Muslim countries, especially from the Persian Gulf, the East and Asian countries. Many halal restaurants and hotels are opened in Tatarstan. Compliance with halal standards is not only to provide appropriate services, but also to show respect for people.    In Tatarstan they understand this and follow this principle.

Minister of Tourism and Folk Arts and Crafts of the Republic of Dagestan Emin Merdanov presented Dagestan as a new promising region for halal tourism, especially highlighting the most ancient and southern city of Russia, Derbent. Most catering establishments and hotels are equipped with prayer rooms, and the food offered meets halal standards. The republic plans to develop this direction and establish cooperation with the Republic of Tatarstan and the Republic of Bashkortostan, as well as with Muslim countries.

Nizar Al Gandour, Director of International Relations of the largest halal certification body in Brazil FAMBRAS HALAL spoke about Brazil's experience in the field of halal tourism and emphasized that he saw in Tatarstan the future of hal tourism.

Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Muminzod Kamoliddin noted that halal tourism is recognized as one of the priorities of the country and invited the session participants to a tourism forum to be held in Tajikistan on September 27.

President of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers Igor Bukharov, highlighted the problems faced by the tourism industry, introducing halal services. Today, there is a shortage of staff who are trained in the appropriate rules of conduct. In the future, this problem will be aggravated and one of the solutions may be the involvement of specialists from Muslim countries. In addition, halal standards impose serious restrictions on the services and goods provided by hotels and restaurants, which adversely affects their profitability.

In conclusion, the moderator of the session Director of the National Congress Bureau Sagid Zaremukov stressed that Russia has a good basis for the development of such a promising direction as the hospitality industry on halal standards, but there are problems in terms of training, implementation of standards and certification, which must be addressed.