Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A presentation of the tourism potential of Uzbekistan and a B2B meeting of tour operators of the two countries was held in the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation.

In pursuance of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 9, 2021 No. 6165 "On measures for the further development of domestic and pilgrim tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan" and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers dated February 24, 2021 No. 100 "On additional measures for the development of domestic and pilgrim tourism", Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development Aziza Abdukhakimov was instructed to carry out work to promote the direction "Travel to the country of imams" in the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation.

A delegation consisting of representatives of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development, the International Islamic Academy and the Association of Chefs of Uzbekistan, with the support of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Russia and the Consulate General in Rostov-on-Don, visited the city of Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan. Initially, the Uzbek delegation met with the Minister for National Policy and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Dagestan, Enrique Muslimov. Enrique Muslimov expressed his respect to the Uzbek delegation and highly appreciated the potential of pilgrim tourism in our country.

At the same time, the minister noted that he maintains a high level of development of Uzbek-Dagestan relations. The meeting was also attended by the First Deputy Mufti of the Republic of Dagestan Akhmad Haji Kakhayev, who recognized the important role of world famous scientists such as Bahauddin Naqshbandi, Imam Al-Bukhari, Imam At-Termizi in the Islamic world.

Akhmed Khadzhi Kakhayev highly appreciated the development of pilgrim tourism between the parties. In addition, during the visit, the delegation met with the mufti, chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Dagestan - Sheikh Akhmad Khadzhi Abdullayev. The Mufti stressed the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation through the development of pilgrim tourism, as well as the development of educational tourism on religious knowledge.

Also, the Dagestan side invited the famous calligrapher Khabibulla Salikh from the Uzbek delegation to conduct advanced training courses for Dagestani teachers and master classes in calligraphy for students.

Further, in the Historical Park of Makhachkala, a presentation of the tourism potential of Uzbekistan and a master class on calligraphy took place. The event was opened by the adviser to the chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development Utkir Saidov, followed by a presentation by the Deputy Director of the National PR Center under the State Committee for Tourism, President Jamshid Babadjanov on the possibilities of pilgrimage tourism in our country, as well as a master class by the famous calligrapher Khabibullah Salikh.

It should be noted that the presentation and master class aroused great interest among the audience. B2B meetings held between tour operators in Uzbekistan and Dagestan also confirmed the interest of Dagestanis in our country.

They were attended by about 30 tour operators from Dagestan, who strengthened cooperation with Uzbek tour operators. At the end of the day, experienced chefs from the Association of Chefs of Uzbekistan prepared the national dish pilaf, the taste of which was highly appreciated by the Dagestanis. It is worth noting that all the events of the delegation's visit were covered by the local media in Dagestan. We hope that such systematically organized events will bring Uzbek-Dagestan relations to a qualitatively new level and will give an even greater impetus to an increase in the flow of tourists visiting our country in the future.