Moroccan tea ceremony shines at FAO's World Tea Day celebration
The Moroccan tea ceremony, a symbol of hospitality and a reflection of the nation's art of living, was celebrated on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the occasion of World Tea Day.
The ceremony, attended by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, featured a stand set up by Morocco's permanent mission to the UN agencies based in Rome. Decorated in the colors of the Kingdom, the space showcased the richness and diversity of Moroccan tradition.
At the heart of the Moroccan exhibit was an authentic traditional salon, where visitors were invited to discover and experience the centuries-old art of preparing mint tea. The space drew a large number of diplomats and high-ranking international officials eager to explore this cherished ritual, a true symbol of sharing, conviviality, and Moroccan savoir-vivre.
Guests had the opportunity to savor Moroccan tea prepared in the traditional manner, representing an entire culture of taste and ritual. The experience was complemented by a refined selection of Moroccan pastries, highlighting the country's culinary heritage.
This year, Morocco was selected by the FAO to represent the cultural richness of tea worldwide, alongside China, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Russia, and Indonesia. The international celebration aims to promote the diversity of tea-related traditions and underscore their significance in culture, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
8 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches New Star Rating System for All Tourist Accommodations
Rabat – Morocco has officially introduced a new star rating system that will apply to all types of tourist accommodations across the country. This marks the first time that hotels, riads, guest houses, and other lodging options will be classified under a single, internationally recognized star system. The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy has announced new rules to improve the quality of tourist accommodations across the country. Five new official orders have been published to update the 2015 law on tourist lodging, aiming to give visitors a better and clearer experience. From now on, all types of tourist accommodations will be rated using a star system similar to hotels. This new star rating is easier to understand and follows international standards, which would help tourists choose their stay more confidently, said the ministry in a press release. 'Every type of accommodation, whether Hotels, riads, Hotel clubs, Kasbahs…will now use the same star rating system that travelers recognize worldwide,' said the Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor. The evaluation will focus on buildings and facilities, as well as on the quality of service throughout the guest's stay. To ensure this, mystery visitors will regularly inspect the accommodations using a detailed checklist of up to 800 criteria, developed with the World Tourism Organization. Ratings will no longer be permanent. New establishments will be reviewed every 7 years, and others every 5 years, to maintain high standards. Another new idea introduced is called 'Residences Immobilières Adossées' (RIA). This lets investors build private villas connected to 5-star or luxury hotels, which they can sell to private owners. These villas will be managed by the hotel, offering luxury guests a more private experience. This aims to encourage more investment in Morocco's tourism sector. Ammor said this is step as a big achievement, saying it will help position Morocco as a top tourist destination. 'Morocco is world famous for its hospitality. With these new measures, we are elevating our hospitality standards to match our legendary reputation!' she wrote. Tourism businesses have 24 months to adjust to the new rules. This gives them time to improve their services, train their staff, and prepare for the new inspections. Soon, new rules will also cover other types of lodging like 'bivouacs' (camping sites), home stays, and innovative options such as container homes and cabins. These rules will also include listings on popular booking platforms. Tags: accommodationMoroccoTourism
Morocco World
19 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches 2025 Marhaba Operation to Welcome Moroccans Abroad
Rabat – Morocco has officially launched the 2025 edition of Operation Marhaba, a long-running campaign to welcome and help Moroccans living abroad on their summer return home. The operation is an annual initiative by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity to welcome the Moroccan diaspora. This year's 25th edition kicked off on June 10, and it's bigger than ever with 26 welcome sites across Morocco and key European countries. The foundation, working with partners, has opened two new sites at Laayoune and Dakhla airports. This means 20 centers are now operational in Morocco's main ports and airports, helping travelers with arrivals and departures. Plus, there are special 'receiving rooms' at rest stops and border crossings like Bab Sebta and Mellil to make peak travel times smoother. Marhaba also has a strong presence in six European ports: Genoa (Italy), Sète and Marseille (France), and Motril, Almería, and Algeciras (Spain). These ports are key entry points for many Moroccans living abroad, and support teams are on hand to offer guidance and assistance even before travelers reach Morocco. Operation Marhaba also provides comprehensive support through a large team of over 1,200 people. This includes social workers, physicians, paramedics, foundation personnel, and volunteers who are available from June 10 to September 15. The entire operation is overseen by a central coordination office in Rabat. This office monitors activities at all reception points, manages resources, and ensures quick responses to any issues. It also runs a 24/7 dedicated helpline for travelers, accessible from Morocco and abroad via specific phone numbers for various countries. Operation Marhaba remains more than a logistical endeavor. It mirrors Morocco's ongoing relationship with its diaspora, a gesture of hospitality and solidarity rooted in shared identity and care. Speaking before the House of Councilors last week, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita outlined this year's key arrangements. The maritime component will include 29 vessels operated by seven shipping companies across 12 routes linking ports in Italy, France, and Spain. Around MAD 28 million ($2.8 million) has been dedicated to enhancing reception infrastructure at Tanger-Med port. This year's operation expects an exceptional flow of roughly 3.5 million travelers, primarily Moroccans living in Europe, marking a 4% rise compared to previous years. Tags: Marhaba 2025Morocco diasporaoperation marhabaOperation Marhaba 2025
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Spanish Media: Elon Musk's Dubai Loop Mirrors Spain-Morocco Tunnel Project
Rabat — Spanish media, including El Faro de Ceuta, suggest that Elon Musk's newly unveiled Dubai Loop carries a resemblance to the undersea tunnel project seeking to connect Spain and Morocco. In February, the Tesla CEO and billionaire Musk announced the Dubai Loop project that seeks to ensure a fast transportation system across Dubai's densely populated areas. According to UAE news agency WAM, Musk stressed that the project would allow people to travel 'as they were moving through a 'wormhole' within Dubai.' ' Musk spoke about improving government efficiency, pointing out that the biggest challenge lies in reducing bureaucracy and enhancing the technology used within government institutions,' the news agency said, noting that the tech entrepreneur stressed the importance of strong public support for such reforms. El Faro de Ceuta said today that the project involves parallels to the proposed underwater tunnel between Spain and Morocco, which aims to connect the two territories across the Strait of Gibraltar in the coming years. In May, converging reports said that Spain allocated €1.6 million to study the viability of an underwater tunnel connecting Europe and Africa. The Spanish Ministry of Transport reportedly reduced the initial budget from €2.4 million after modifying some planned tasks. Herrenknecht, the world-leading German company in tunnel development and implementation, is studying construction feasibility, with the aim of completing the assessment by June. The project is in line with efforts and commitment from the two countries to upgrade infrastructure and boost cooperation at all levels, as Spain and Morocco are co-hosting the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal. In March, the Moroccan government announced plans to invest $1.25 billion in highway infrastructure projects ahead of the World Cup. The investment plan covers the period from 2025 to 2032, focusing on three major projects: the Continental Rabat-Casablanca Highway, the Tit Mellil-Berrechid Highway, and transforming the Ain Harrouda and Sidi Maarouf junctions. .
