- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Bring Them In! Russia Launches Halal-Friendly Tourism

© AFP 2023 / VASILY MAXIMOVPeople walk during a major snowfall at the Red Square in Moscow, on January 16, 2014
People walk during a major snowfall at the Red Square in Moscow, on January 16, 2014 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Although Russia offers plenty of opportunities to take a break from traditional Islamic customs, the country's federal tourism body launched a "halal-friendly" tour of the Russian winter to visitors of Gulf Arab states more used to the surrounding desert.

A fully-loaded URAL truck shows acrobatic stunts on a snowy Siberian road. - Sputnik International
Winter Driving Russian Style
Russia aims to attract tourists from Persian Gulf countries through a "halal-friendly" tourism program, deputy head of Russia's Federal Tourism Agency Sergei Korneyev said at the opening of the VisitRussia tourism office in Dubai.

According to the tourism chief, Russia seeks to begin the project in Dubai as it is one of the the largest transportation hubs in Asia, and then expand the program to other countries, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Another project would be to show the Russian winter to tourists from Gulf monarchies, who are more used to a desert climate.

Halal is a term referring to foods and drinks permissible for Muslims to eat and drink. Approximately 6.5 percent of Russia's population identify themselves as practicing Muslims.

"We have very serious intentions regarding tourists from Persian Gulf countries.To our great amazement, we realized that Russia has not represented itself as a tourist destination not only in Dubai, but also in the UAE and the Middle East in general, which is wrong. Today's tourist product, which Russia offers, suits them, especially under the condition of beneficial exchange rate," Korneyev said.

Franz Josef Land archipelago - Sputnik International
Russia
Russia Opens Arctic Border Crossing to Boost Tourism
The Halal-friendly program seeks to show tourists Russia's ties to the Muslim world, and may include such things as menus in Arabic. Korneyev added that the tourism body would promote not only a halal cuisine-focused tour, but also the culinary diversity of Russia as a whole.

The Russian winter could also become a tourist attraction to tourists from Gulf states, Korneyev said, bringing up past experience.

"It's such a bold experiment for residents of southern countries, but we tried bringing in a group of journalists and tourism industry representatives to Saint Petersburg in the winter, and they said that a lot of them liked the experience," Korneyev added.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала