Thanks to Tatarstan, tourist flow from Islamic countries to Russia rises

A noticeable increase in the number of tourists from many countries of the Islamic world was recorded last year by the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia; almost twice as many visitors from Turkiye, Iran and Tajikistan as in 2022, and 5.5 times more tourists from the United Arab Emirates.
Today, Russia is home to more than 20mn Muslims, a significant part of which is associated with the Republic of Tatarstan. This is a unique region whose culture developed at the crossroads of two major civilisations: Eastern and Western.
Thanks largely to Tatarstan, the tourist flow from Islamic countries to Russia grows by 15% annually. This opinion was expressed by Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov at the International Economic Forum “Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum” 2023 in the capital of Tatarstan.
Muslims’ interest in Tatarstan is not accidental - it is the northernmost region in the world with preserved Islamic medieval architecture, amazing natural monuments and developed Halal infrastructure for tourists.
Here on the bank of the Volga River not far from Kazan is the ancient city of Bolgar. It is a unique monument of medieval Muslim architecture, a place of archaeological excavations and historical discoveries. In 922 the Volga Bulgaria, the ancestor of modern Tatarstan, converted to Islam here. The event is traditionally celebrated in May - on the holiday “Izge Bolgar zhyeni” thousands of Muslims from Russia and abroad try to visit the ancient town.
In Veliky Bolgar you can see the neighbourhood from the Great Minaret of the medieval Cathedral Mosque, visit the Eastern and Northern Mausoleums, the preserved ruins of the Khan’s Palace, the bath and tomb of the Khan’s family, as well as the Small Minaret and the legendary Black Chamber - one of the most mysterious and beautiful buildings of the XIV century made of white limestone.
On the territory of the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve is the modern Museum of Islam, where the largest printed Qur’an in the world is kept. The size of the book is 2m x 1.5m and its weight is 800kg. The cover is made of malachite with precious metals and stones.
The number of visitors to Bolgar grows considerably during the KazanForum, which brings together representatives of 57 countries of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) in Tatarstan. Traditionally, the forum is held in May during the “Izge Bolgar zhyena” celebrations, and excursions to the holy places of Islam with a cultural programme are organised for the participants. Last year a special feature of the holiday was an exhibition of 10 authentic relics of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Many pilgrims from all over the world come to Bolgar to visit the modern pearl of Tatarstan - the White Mosque. This huge architectural ensemble consisting of a clergy residence, a madrasah and a mosque with majestic minarets. It resembles a famous world monument of religion and culture - the Taj Mahal mausoleum. The White Mosque was erected in 2012, and since then it has attracted thousands of foreign tourists who want to see one of the masterpieces of world Islamic architecture in Russia.
The Bulgarian Historical and Archaeological Complex is included in the Unesco World Heritage Sites.
KazanForum’s host city, Kazan, which was granted the status of “Youth Capital of the Islamic World” by the OIC in 2022, has also preserved its rich spiritual traditions and relics. Here, guests from Muslim countries can see and visit the Kazan Kremlin Museum-Reserve, the only preserved Tatar white stone fortress in Russia and the world.
The objects of the Kazan Kremlin were built since the 10th century and are also included in the Unesco World Heritage List. Among them are: the main cathedral mosque Kul Sharif, one of the largest mosques in Russia and Europe, the central cathedral of Tatarstan, created by architects of the main cathedral of Moscow in the 16th century; the famous falling tower of Syuyumbike, which is among the top 10 most famous falling towers of the world; the most ancient tombs of the Khans. The residence of the Rais of Tatarstan is also located here.
In 2023, during KazanForum, the Kazan Kremlin hosted an amazing evening light show, when historical sketches, symbols and attributes of traditional Islam inherent in the Tatar people appeared on the walls of the fortress.
In 2024, at the XV KazanForum, the business programme will also be combined with an immersion into the history of the development of world Islam. Forum guests will see ancient Tatar cities, spiritual artefacts, and find themselves at the origins of traditional Islam in Russia.
An important feature for Muslims: Russia now offers halal tourism with hotel accommodation, catering and even medical and financial services in accordance with the norms of Islam. This year, Russia adopted the state standard “Halal Products and Services”, which will make it possible to certify service facilities and provide guests from Islamic countries with full halal service, taking into account the requirements of international standards.
In particular, Muslim tours are already being organised to Tatarstan, where it is possible to stay in hotels according to Halal standards or undergo health procedures in a halal medical facility. Thus, in December, a new tourist destination «Moscow + Kazan» on the route “Two Capitals of One Horizon” was presented within the framework of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality Industry”.