Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 29 July, a presentation was held on projects introducing the “Muslim Hospitality” service rating from the Singapore CrescentRating agency to Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by representatives of the State Unitary Enterprise “Center for Certification of Tourist Services”, the Department for the Development of the Ziyorat and Archeological Tourism under the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development, representatives of the Committee for Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, well-known chefs and media representatives.

In 2019, Uzbekistan ranked 22nd in the World Index of Muslim Travel, which is 10 positions higher than last year. Within the framework of the I International Forum on Ziyorat-Tourism, held in February 2019 in Bukhara, a Memorandum of Understanding and Bilateral Cooperation was signed between the State Tourism Development Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the CrescentRating agency.

In accordance with this agreement, the CrescentRating agency signed an agreement with the state unitary enterprise “Center for Certification of Tourist Services” on the introduction in May 2019 of the rating of Muslim hotel services in tourist organizations of the country. This rating system is voluntary, and tourism organizations using it will have some advantages in the field of Muslim tourism.

At the event, held in Tashkent, the participants of the event were provided with detailed information on the consulting and training programs offered by the agency in the framework of the Muslim Hospitality rating.

Among them were presented:

free training courses of the Agency CrescentRating for tourism organizations; (starting from July 30, 2019);

the launch, jointly with the State Unitary Enterprise “Center for Certification of Tourist Services”, of the project of new tourist services in accordance with the rating of Muslim hotel services in the objects of tourist services of Uzbekistan;

launch of a joint project with the famous chef Bahauddin Chustiy to promote Uzbek national cuisine among tourists.

According to Fasal Bakhardin, Executive Director of CrescentRating, this event is a great way to tell Uzbekistan about the possibilities of halal tourism and its role in the development of the Uzbek tourism industry in this direction. “Uzbekistan has a huge potential for the development of halal tourism and entry into the Islamic tourism market, thanks to its rich cultural and historical heritage.

After all, it was here that once lived the ancient Islamic thinkers and interpreters of the holy Quran, such as Imam Al-Bukhari, Bahauddin Naqshbandi, etc. It is here that the magnificent monuments of ancient architecture, ancient manuscripts that prove that Uzbekistan has always been the center of Islamic culture, have been preserved. ” - noted Fazal Bakhardin.

During the event, various opinions and proposals were also expressed for the development and strengthening of knowledge among representatives of the domestic tourism industry subjects about the country’s historical and tourist opportunities and additional opportunities to attract tourists from Muslim countries.