Latest news with #Handicrafts
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Shell to art, the Tumba way
RAYAGADA: Dry bottle gourds, or Tumba in local parlance, never go waste in Rayagada. Traditionally, Kondh farmers of the district used dry gourd shells as containers to drink water, 'mandia jau' or even the local brew but today, these shells are statement pieces of fine art in urban households. The contemporary twist is the contribution of Himanshu Sekhar Pandia, a Rayagada-based master craftsman. He not only introduced Odisha to tumba craft and built a tribal economy around it but has also been training tribals and non-tribals in it for close to two decades through his Prerana Art and Craft centre. The craft was included in the state's official list of handicrafts by the department of Handloom, Textile and Handicraft last year, thanks to Pandia's unrelenting efforts. Every year, he trains around 25 to 30 tribal and non-tribal people in the craft, an initiative that is supported by DC(Handicrafts) and the State government. It includes functional and decorative pieces like lamp shades, sculptures, jewellery, toys, crockery products and much more. Back in the early 2000, during a trip to Rayagada, Pandia saw some tribal farmers carrying water in tumba shells to their farms. A diploma holder in fine arts, he decided to refine the hard, dried bottle gourd shells to prepare functional pieces. Before carving, chiselling or painting motifs on them, the hollowed, dry shells are sorted as per their size, cleaned and scrubbed with sandpaper. 'So far, I have trained close to 600 people in this craft and during the training period, which lasts from three months to one year, the trainees get a monthly remuneration of Rs 6,000 which is funded by the government,' he said. The trainees are mostly women from villages nearby Rayagada.
Morocco World
10-06-2025
- Business
- 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
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shenzhen Gifts & Home Fair Wraps up Successfully with 4,500 Suppliers in April
SHENZHEN, China, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 33rd China (Shenzhen) International Gifts, Handicrafts, Watches & Houseware Fair (SZ Gift Fair), organized by RX Huabo, successfully concluded on April 28 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, setting trends for global sourcing. Over the four-day trade show, over 4,500 suppliers showcased millions of trendy products, with leading brands like IKEA and Haier making their debut. Attracting buyers from around the globe, the fair bridged Chinese manufacturers with international markets and unveiled the latest gift and home innovations. Top Brands Gather to Define Future LifestylesAt the Fair, leading brands showcased their latest innovations, offering a glimpse into the future of digital living. Xiaomi's ecosystem enables seamless, app-based interconnectivity between devices, creating a convenient, efficient living environment. Roborock's robotic vacuums leverage personalized cleaning modes to adapt flexibly to diverse floor plans. These smart-home innovations, centered on intelligent control and bespoke design, offer a high-efficiency experience, driving digital living into a new era. Thousands of Suppliers Turn IP Products into Cultural IconsDriven by Generation Z's demand for intellectual property (IP) collaborations and limited editions, the global IP licensing market surged from $255.4 billion in 2020 to $363.6 billion in 2024. This trend was clearly evident at the SZ Gift Fair, where major suppliers have partnered with popular IPs and launched co-branded products, including Snoopy Cups, My Little Pony Mobile Accessories, Doraemon Kitchenware, and Disney Home Textile. Buyers discovered the latest trends of IP products, but also connected directly with IP licensors, designers, manufacturers and distributors. From October 20–23 this year in Shenzhen, we will launch a trade fair - IP Connect, gathering hundreds of IP licensors. Save the date and join in the SZ Gift Autumn Fair. About RX HuaboWith over 30 years of industry experience, RX Huabo has become the largest and most influential exhibition organizer in the Gift & Home sector in the Asia-Pacific region and is part of RX, the global leader in events and exhibitions. It organizes 16 professional B2B exhibitions at home and abroad each year, bringing together over 10,000 exhibitors and 1 million products to meet the purchasing needs of 3 million buyers. And through the online platform Limaotong, the new media matrix to build an omni-channel B2B online and offline trading platform to help quality suppliers, for millions of professional buyers to provide a year-round, efficient procurement platform. Visitor/Exhibitor Contact: Website: View original content: SOURCE RX Huabo Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Entrepreneur
24-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Supporting Local Handicrafts: Saudi Cultural Development Fund Launches Nama' Accelerators in Partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Quality of Life Program
Nama' Accelerators comprises multiple sector-specific tracks to be introduced by the Fund in the near future. The accelerators launch with its first track, Handicrafts, as part of the Fund's broader efforts to amplify the economic, social, and creative impact of the 2025 Year of Handicrafts, and to enable sector stakeholders to enhance and expand their cultural projects and businesses. The Fund has launched a dedicated webpage for full accelerators details HERE The Handicrafts Track targets micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) across 11 key handicrafts fields, including pottery, textiles, and woodworking. Participants will benefit from specialized training in modern craft techniques, intensive workshops in marketing and business development, and improved access to both local and global markets. The accelerators conclude with targeted, financial incentives aimed at supporting long-term business growth and sustainability. Through its first track, Nama' Accelerators aims to transform Saudi Arabia's vibrant handicraft heritage into sustainable economic businesses that that empower communities, spark innovation in the sector, and embrace the Kingdom's national identity. The accelerators also designed to amplify the sector's economic and social impact by supporting the growth of ambitious, high-potential startups with innovative ideas. In doing so, it contributes to building a vibrant Saudi entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages creativity and enables long-term, meaningful growth. Nama' Accelerators marks a significant step forward in the Cultural Development Fund's mission to become the Financial Center of Excellence for the cultural sector. It reinforces the Fund's role as a key financial enabler for cultural entrepreneurs and businesses by enabling their sustainable and profitable growth. The accelerators also consolidate the Fund's efforts with key stakeholders in the cultural ecosystem, enabling it to continue its path toward achieving the goals of the National Culture Strategy, under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030. For more information about Nama' Accelerators and the Handicrafts Track, click HERE
Morocco World
07-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Welcomes 5.7 Million Tourists in First Four Months of 2025, Up 23%
Rabat – Morocco received 5.7 million tourists in the first four months of 2025, representing a 23% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy. The ministry described the performance as 'exceptional,' noting that this rise means one million more tourists visited Morocco during the first part of the year. This strong growth places Morocco among the world's most dynamic tourist destinations, it added. April 2025 alone saw the arrival of 1.7 million tourists, a 27% increase compared to April 2024. The ministry said this reflects Morocco's growing appeal and its ability to attract visitors beyond the traditional high season. Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said the arrival of one million extra tourists during a period usually considered quiet signals a promising season ahead. 'These outstanding results show the success of the tourism roadmap launched by the government under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI,' she said. 'This strategy focuses on promoting Morocco's unique strengths and building a strong base for sustainable tourism growth.' A report recently released by the Foreign Exchange Office showed that Morocco earned MAD 24.62 billion in tourism revenue during the first quarter of 2025. The country welcomed 4 million tourists between January and March. This represents a 2.4% increase in tourism revenue compared to last year. The report comes as Morocco takes major steps to strengthen its tourism sector. Since the end of the COVID crisis, the country has invested heavily in upgrading airports and improving infrastructure across key destinations. These efforts aim to provide a better travel experience for tourists and support the growing number of international arrivals. Morocco's tourism office is also forming partnerships with airlines to boost air connectivity. With major sports events like the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, the country sees a big opportunity to showcase its attractions to a global audience.
