Latest news with #WorldTourismOrganization
CairoScene
17-04-2025
- CairoScene
This Ancient ‘Gingerbread Village' Is Carved Into Saudi's Mountains
This Ancient 'Gingerbread Village' Is Carved Into Saudi's Mountains The road from Abha descends through the Asir mountains, curving past ridges softened by mist and valleys stitched with green terraces. Some fifty miles from the city, at the base of a steep incline, lies Rijal Almaa—a village so quiet, so composed, it seems to have emerged fully formed from the stone itself. At first glance, you might miss it. The buildings—tall, stacked, angular—cling to the earth like outcrops, their forms echoing the rhythm of the hills. But then the road straightens, the valley opens, and the village reveals itself in full: towers of stone and clay, rimmed in white, their windows catching the sun like mirrors. For centuries, this place was a resting point—traders passing through from Yemen to the Levant, pilgrims on their way to Makkah and Madinah. The village rose from the necessities of exchange, of shelter, of spiritual pause. Yet what was built here went beyond utility. Today, Rijal Almaa feels less like a crossroads and more like a memory preserved in architecture. There are roughly sixty buildings in the village, many of them rising five, six, even eight stories high. Constructed from dark stone, clay, and wood, the structures are sometimes called "forts," though their elegance makes the word feel too blunt. The façades are studded with white crystal stones. Inside, the walls bloom with Al-Qatt Al-Asiri—a form of geometric mural painting passed down through generations of women. The colours are bright, sometimes clashing, always intentional. The effect is one of quiet rebellion: a burst of expression inside walls meant to keep the desert out. At the center of it all is the Rijal Almaa Heritage Museum, housed in what was once the Al Alwan Palace. Over four centuries old, the building now contains more than 2,000 artifacts—manuscripts, tools, weapons, objects from lives once lived here. Though time frayed its edges, the village never truly disappeared. In recent years, restoration efforts—led by national bodies and supported by the local community—have brought Rijal Almaa into the present without sanding down its character. An open-air theater now hosts performances against a backdrop of stone towers; green spaces spread where once there were only rocks. In 2021, the World Tourism Organization named it one of the best tourism villages in the world. It remains on Saudi Arabia's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. Despite everything, the feeling Rijal Almaa leaves is older than any plaque or award. Visitors walk narrow alleys where camels once passed. They see the mountains framed through windows once opened to catch the evening light. They move through a village where everything—the towers, the art, the quiet—is still speaking, if you know how to listen.
Daily Tribune
09-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Minister of Tourism Participates in Ministerial Roundtable at AIM Meeting in Abu Dhabi
Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaffar Al-Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, emphasized that investment in the tourism sector is one of the fundamental pillars of supporting economic growth in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It constitutes as an effective economic tool that contributes to improving various economic sectors and creating new job opportunities, which benefits the national economy. This came during her participation in the ministerial roundtable on "Investing in Tourism: Shaping Investment Opportunities through Policy Innovation," as part of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2025, organized by the World Tourism Organization in Abu Dhabi. Al-Sairafi stated that the tourism sector is one of the most promising economic sectors in the region, and supporting tourism investment represents a fundamental pillar of sustainable development which contributes to strengthening the Kingdom of Bahrain's position as a leading global tourism destination. Her Excellency added that the private sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain is a key partner in developing the tourism sector, while coordinating and cooperating to provide diverse tourism experiences that meet the needs and aspirations of tourists and visitors. She pointed out on the Kingdom's distinguished tourism infrastructure, including a diverse hotel portfolio that caters to a variety of tastes. Al-Sairafi explained that 2024 witnessed the addition of some 4&5-star hotels, adding that the Kingdom of Bahrain is also expected to witness the opening of new 5-star hotels by 2026, reflecting the continued expansion of the hospitality sector. She emphasized that this expansion will strengthen the tourism and hotel sector in Bahrain, leading to increased tourism revenues and the creation of new job opportunities, in addition to, supporting SMEs by creating partnerships with local suppliers and contractors. Her Excellency also noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved significant successes in supporting business tourism, (MICE), by attracting numerous major events and conferences, which contributes to strengthening its position as a distinguished destination for international events. Al-Sairafi highlighted the importance of coordination between the Kingdom of Bahrain and regional and international tourism organizations, and enhancing joint Arab cooperation, which contributes to attracting tourism investments and developing the sector sustainably. She pointed out that this cooperation enhances tourism integration among Arab countries and increases inter-Arab tourism rates. She emphasized that Arab governments pay great attention to the tourism sector by providing incentives and grants to support it. On the sidelines of the visit, Her Excellency the Minister of Tourism met with His Excellency Mr. Saleh Mohammed Al-Jaziri, Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi. They reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed ways of cooperation in areas of joint work related to encouraging investment in tourism and strategic projects.
Arab Times
19-02-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait becomes a decision-maker on the global tourism map
MADRID, Feb 19: Kuwait has been unanimously elected to chair the Middle East Regional Committee of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for a renewable two-year term. Basma Al-Mayman, Director of the UNWTO's Regional Department for the Middle East, praised this milestone achievement, calling it a significant step for Kuwait as it becomes a key decision-maker on the global tourism map. In an interview with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Mayman highlighted that this marks the first time in the UNWTO's history that Kuwait has been chosen to lead the committee. The decision was made during the 51st meeting of the Regional Committee, which took place in Doha, Qatar, last week. Al-Mayman explained that Kuwait will play a central role in setting the tourism policies for the region in the coming period. These policies will then influence international recommendations that will be presented to the UNWTO's Executive Council and General Assembly, ultimately impacting tourism strategies across the globe. As a founding member of the UNWTO, Kuwait has earned the unanimous trust of the Middle Eastern countries, securing its position as chair of the committee. Al-Mayman noted that this development solidifies Kuwait's growing influence in shaping the global tourism landscape. She also emphasized Kuwait's significant efforts to enhance and develop its tourism sector, which is seen as a promising industry that could complement the country's oil sector. During her two visits to Kuwait, Al-Mayman was briefed on the country's plans for tourism growth. She particularly praised the "exceptional organization" of the recent Gulf Cup Football Championship (Gulf 26), which raised the bar for hosting international events. The event's success contributed to a boom in the tourism sector, with hotel occupancy rates exceeding 99%, benefiting tourism facilities across the country. At the 51st meeting in Doha, Kuwait's Minister of Information and Culture, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, was appointed to lead the committee. In his address, Al-Mutairi emphasized the need for innovative plans and initiatives to enhance the region's tourism systems and promote inter-tourism between member states. Basma Al-Mayman also made history as the first Gulf official and the first Arab woman to hold an official position within the World Tourism Organization, further marking the region's growing leadership in global tourism affairs.
Morocco World
28-01-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Achieves Historic Tourism Milestone with 17.4 Million Visitors in 2024
Rabat - Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco's head of the government, expressed pride on Monday in Morocco's remarkable achievement in tourism and said the country welcomed 17.4 million visitors in 2024. Speaking at the House of Representatives, Akhannouch described the milestone as both historic and unprecedented, saying that the country had reached its 2026 goal two years ahead of schedule. In his address, Akhannouch further pointed out that the tourism sector's revival in 2024 surpassed expectations, with a 20% growth compared to the previous year. He pointed to a 23% rise in international tourist arrivals and a 17% increase in visits from Moroccans living abroad. Morocco attracted 3 million more tourists in 2024 than in 2023, surpassing the 3.2 million total from the years 2010-2019. Notably, the sector exceeded 2019's figures by 35%, reflecting an impressive recovery. The prime minister said that these outstanding results stemmed from the government's comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach to tourism. Instead of concentrating solely on isolated measures such as hotel and park improvements, the government's strategy integrated tourism development with broader national policies, engaging various sectors in the process. Akhannouch credited the government's sustained efforts and thoughtful policies for the positive changes seen within the tourism sector. These actions, he said, have contributed to a steady, sustainable recovery that has drastically improved key indicators. He concluded by reaffirming the government's conviction that building the 'Morocco of tomorrow' requires collective action to advance tourism as a cornerstone of the country's overall sustainable development. In October, the Ministry of Tourism announced that Morocco rose from 41st to 31st place in the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) global ranking between 2019 and 2023, which showed the sector's dynamism and resilience, as well as the success of the strategies the ministry applied in recent years. Read Also: Moroccan Tourism Sets New Record with Nearly 16 Million Visitors in 2024
Daily News Egypt
28-01-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Italy to fund study for revitalization of ancient Roman coastal city of Quseir
Italy's Ambassador to Egypt, Michele Quaroni, has reaffirmed his country's commitment to collaborating with Egypt's Ministry of Local Development on a range of sustainable development and heritage preservation projects across the country. The focus will be on funding a study for the development of Quseir, an ancient Roman coastal city, in partnership with the Red Sea Governorate. The study, which will be carried out in collaboration with Takween Integrated Community Development, follows the success of the 'Investing in Sustainable Tourism in Esna' project in Luxor Governorate, which was recognized by the World Tourism Organization for its impact. This announcement was made during a meeting between Ambassador Quaroni and Minister of Local Development, Manal Awad, where they discussed potential areas of cooperation at the ministry level and across Egypt's governorates. Minister Awad welcomed Italy's support, emphasizing the importance of enhancing local economic development by leveraging the competitive advantages of Egypt's cities. She noted that Quseir could serve as a model for successful and integrated development, similar to the achievements in Esna. In addition to the Quseir project, Minister Awad outlined several areas for future collaboration, including efforts to combat climate change, expand the use of renewable energy in public transportation in Greater Cairo, and convert bus stations to solar energy while transitioning public buses to electric power. Ambassador Quaroni expressed Italy's readiness to support these initiatives, particularly in the field of renewable energy, and pledged to prepare and present the proposed study to relevant Italian agencies for further action. Both sides agreed to stay in contact to implement the proposals discussed, working together with the Ministry of Local Development, the Italian Embassy, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation to bring these projects to fruition.
