Saudi Arabia Participates in World Travel Market to Showcase its Unique Destinations

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
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Saudi Arabia Participates in World Travel Market to Showcase its Unique Destinations

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour

Saudi Arabia, the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination, is taking part, once again, in the World Travel Market (WTM), held in London from November 6 to 9, to promote tourism.
More than 75 representatives of the most important tourist destinations, such as AlUla, Diriyah, Al Soudah, historic Jeddah, of ministries and agencies, of the most important international hotel chains, airlines, travel and tourism companies, and tour operators, in addition to a number of “Nusuk” platform partners, take part in the event; the number marks a 48% increase over the previous participation, according to SPA.
The Kingdom will be present in an interactive pavilion that projects the Saudi hospitality and culture, highlights unique destinations and inspiring experiences and reflects its natural and climatic diversity.
Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib said: “With pride, Saudi tourism is enhancing its remarkable and distinguished presence at WTM in London, through more than 75 partners of the Saudi tourism sector, to contribute to highlighting destinations, offers and events, and reinforce the Kingdom’s leadership position in the field of sustainable tourism.”
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s participation in important global forums is expanding year after year, which confirms our firm commitment to advancing the growth and prosperity of the global tourism sector, and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, by highlighting the enormous investment opportunities and inviting the whole world to explore inspiring tourism experiences, which only exist in Saudi Arabia", Al-Khatib added.
For his part, Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said: “Our participation this year in the WTM comes to confirm to our partners our commitment to providing everything new and of quality, and today we bring the largest number of destinations, products and service providers, in order to attract larger numbers and segments of international travelers.”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has held the presidency of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 2022; it was re-elected to the position in October 2023. It also hosts the World Tourism Organization's first regional office in the Middle East.



Greek Potter Keeps Ancient Ways Alive, Wins UNESCO Recognition

A drone view of ready handmade pieces in Kouvdis’ family pottery workshop in Agios Stefanos village, near Mandamados on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, September 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view of ready handmade pieces in Kouvdis’ family pottery workshop in Agios Stefanos village, near Mandamados on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, September 23, 2024. (Reuters)
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Greek Potter Keeps Ancient Ways Alive, Wins UNESCO Recognition

A drone view of ready handmade pieces in Kouvdis’ family pottery workshop in Agios Stefanos village, near Mandamados on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, September 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view of ready handmade pieces in Kouvdis’ family pottery workshop in Agios Stefanos village, near Mandamados on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, September 23, 2024. (Reuters)

In his seaside workshop on the Greek island of Lesbos, Nikos Kouvdis uses ancient techniques to create pottery pieces that have recently been honored with inclusion in UNESCO's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Kouvdis, 70, and his family have kept an old technique alive near the once humming pottery hub of Mandamados, just as the slow and careful methods of the past have been largely eclipsed by factory machines.

Their pottery is among the last in the Mediterranean to be produced from clay in local soil, using a traditional kiln with olive pits as fuel, with the pieces painted with natural lime.

"It's an honor for me," Kouvdis said with regard to the UNESCO recognition of his work.

He said a mechanized press can work at 10 times the speed of an individual potter. "There’s no continuity. There’s no space for (our) method to continue."

Still, he continues to produce individual pots on an outcrop of land overlooking the Aegean Sea.

"Above all, it’s a passion - trying to create something that fulfils you," he said.