Philosophy Doctor in Economic
Science
Lukyanova Yelena Yurievna
Yalta, Crimea
HALAL TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT IN CRIMEA
Halal tourism
comprises the activities of persons within the boundaries of Islam, either
traveling or staying in places outside their usual environment [1]. Halal
tourism is a subcategory of religious tourism which is geared towards Muslim
families who abide by Sharia rules. The hotels in such destinations do not
serve alcohol and have separate swimming pools and spa facilities for men and
women. Malaysia, Turkey and many more countries are trying to attract Muslim
tourists from all over the world offering facilities in accordance with the
religious beliefs of Muslim tourists.
According
to a 2014 year study for the travel tech company Amadeus [2] Halal tourism
market was once seen as a niche revenue stream, limited to pilgrimages like the
multi-billion dollar-a-year revenue stream generated by Muslim travelers to
Mecca. But now there's a movement in the tourism industry to widen the «Halal tourism»
market to cater to Muslim travelers worldwide, particularly those from wealthy
Gulf Arab states. Travelers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab
Emirates, Bahrain and Oman are expected to spend $216 billion by 2030 year.
Crimea
has rich potential for Halal tourism development. The first of all it was
territory where Islam was the main religion for few centuries and where were
active military, political, social and economic life. The Crimean Khanate
originated in the early 15th century when certain clans of the Golden
Horde Empire ceased their nomadic life in the Desht-i Qipchaq and decided to
make Crimea their yurt (homeland). At that time, the Golden Horde of Mongol Empire
had governed the Crimean peninsula as an ulus since 1239 year, with its capital
at Qirim (Staryi Krym). The local separatists invited a Genghisid contender for
the Golden Horde throne, Melek Khaji Girai, to become their khan. He accepted
their invitation and traveled from exile in Lithuania. He warred for
independence against the Horde from 1420 year to 1441 year, in the end
achieving success. But Melek Khaji Girai then had to fight off internal rivals
before he could ascend the throne of the khanate in 1449 year, after which he
moved its capital to Qirq-Yer (today part of Bakhchysarai) [4]. The khanate
included the Crimean Peninsula (except the south and southwest coast and ports,
controlled by the Republic of Genoa) as well as the adjacent steppe.
Melek
Khaji Girai 's sons contended against each other to succeed him. The Ottomans intervened
and installed one of them, Mengli I Giray, on the throne. In 1475 year the Ottoman
forces, under the command of Gedik Ahmet Pasha, conquered the Greek Principality
of Theodoro and the Genoese colonies at Cembalo, Soldaia, and Caffa (modern
Feodosiya). Thenceforth the khanate was a protectorate of the Ottoman Empire.
The Ottoman sultan enjoyed veto power over the selection of new Crimean khans.
The Empire annexed the Crimean coast, but recognized the legitimacy of the
khanate rule of the steppes, as the khans were descendants of Genghis Khan [5].
Mengli I Giray took the imperial title «Sovereign of Two Continents and Khan of
Khans of Two Seas».
In 1475
year, the Ottomans imprisoned Mengli I Giray for three years for having
resisted the invasion. After returning from captivity in Constantinople, he
accepted the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. Nevertheless, Ottoman sultans
treated the khans more as allies than subjects. The khans continued to have a
foreign policy independent from the Ottomans in the steppes of Little Tartary.
The khans continued to mint coins and use their names in Friday prayers, two
important signs of sovereignty. They did not pay tribute to the Ottoman Empire;
instead the Ottomans paid them in return for their services of providing
skilled outriders and frontline cavalry in their campaigns [6]. Later on,
Crimea lost power in this relationship as the result of a crisis which took
place in 1523 year, during the reign of Mengli I Giray's successor, Mehmed I
Giray. He died that year and beginning with his successor, from 1524 year on,
Crimean khans were appointed by the Sultan.
The
alliance of the Crimean Tatars and the Ottomans was comparable to Polish-Lithuania
in its importance and durability. The Crimean cavalry became indispensable for
the Ottomans' campaigns in Europe (Poland, Hungary) and Asia (Persia).
In 1502
year, Mengli I Giray defeated the last khan of the Great Horde, which put an
end to the Horde's claims on Crimea. The Khanate initially chose as its capital
Salachiq near the Qirq-Yer fortress. Later, the capital was moved a short
distance to Bahchisarai, founded in 1532 year by Sahib I Giray.
It was
significant period for Crimean history.
Nowadays
Crimea has Muslims friendly environment, cafes and restaurants which are able
to serve Halal food and drinks, experienced guides who are well educated on
Muslim history, etiquette and sights of religious interest in area; transfers,
hotels can be adapted for Muslims. The problem is that Halal tourists were not
still identified as profitable market segment here and there were not suggested
special tours for such kind of people.
To
develop Halal tourism in Crimea is not only mean to adapt the infrastructure
but also to make tours programmes, according to ethnic and religious history
there. It must combine ancient Khans palaces, unique mosques and modern life –
communicating to local Muslim people, knowing situation in area (madrasahes,
printing houses, public organizations and etc.), and different Crimean Tatar or
Turkish entertainments in accordance to preferences of tourists. List of
mosques is given below.
Table 1
List of Crimean
Mosques [3]
|
Name |
Place |
Date |
Status |
|
Aji Bay Mosque |
Sudak, Dachnoe |
XVIII century |
not acting |
|
Big Khan Mosque |
Bakhchysarai |
1532 year |
acting |
|
Dervish Monastery |
Yevpatoria |
XV – XVI century |
not acting |
|
Ismi Khan Jami Mosque |
Bakhchysarai |
XVII – XVIII
century |
not acting |
|
Juma-Jami Mosque (Friday
Mosque) |
Yevpatoria |
1564 year |
acting |
|
Kebir-Jami Mosque |
Simferopol |
1508 year |
acting |
|
Kokkoz Jami Mosque (Yusupov's
Mosque) |
Sokolynoe |
1910 year |
acting |
|
Mufti-Jami Mosque |
Feodosiya |
1637 year |
acting |
|
Orta Juma Jami Mosque |
Bakhchysarai |
1674 year |
acting |
|
Ozbek Han Mosque |
Staryi Krym |
1314 year |
acting |
|
Padishah Jami Mosque (Temple
with Arcade) |
Sudak |
XIII century |
not acting, museum |
|
Small Khan Mosque |
Bakhchysarai |
XVI century |
not acting |
|
Tahtali-Jami Mosque |
Bakhchysarai |
1707 year |
acting |
Different
parks can also be added to tours programmes: Alupka Vorontsov Palace park, Gursuf,
Massandra, Miskhor, Foros, Paradise, Kharaks parks and Nikitsky Botanical
Gardens.
Halal
tours can become very important profitable part in social and economic area in
Crimea. This theses information can be useful for regional
authorities on improving economical and management innovations in tourism,
business leaders and economic universities students.
Literature:
1. Halal
Tourism Definition [Electronic Source] – Access Mode:
http://www.researchgate.net.
2.
Halal Tourism Emerges Businesses Serve Muslim Travelers [Electronic Source] –
Access Mode: http://www.bigstory.ap.org.
3. Lukyanova
Ye.Yu. Organizatsiya ekskursionnoy deyatelnosti (Excursion activities organization):
[Uchebnoe posobie] (Tutorial) / Ye.Yu. Lukyanova. – Simferopol: IT «ARIAL»,
2015. – 288 p.
4.
Crimean Tatars History [Electronic Source] – Access Mode: http://www.hansaray.org.ua.
5. The
Khans of Crimea [Electronic Source] – Access Mode: http://www.friesian.com.
6. The
Military Role of Crimean Tatars in the Ottoman Empire [Electronic Source] –
Access Mode: http://www.jamestown.org.