CNN Market Place Middle East

SHOW #152

FACETIME - YASSIR ZENAGUI, MOROCCAN MINISTER OF TOURISM

2009 was a challenging year for the tourism sector, but now it's steadily regaining momentum. In the Middle East, Morocco boasted 6% growth in 2009. With over 9 million visitors expected to the Kingdom in 2010, MME sat down with Morocco's Minister of tourism, Yassir Zenagui to find out how the country's tourism sector dodged the effects of the downturn.

IN FOCUS - REVIVING THE PEARL INDUSTRY

Harvesting pearls was a major source of income for Bahrain and the region until the early 20th century when Japanese cultured pearls flooded world markets and oil was discovered. Now Bahrain is trying to revive interest in its pearl tradition. It's applying to UNESCO to list its pearl diving beds and traditional houses as a world Heritage site. We explore the kingdom's pearl traditions, from diving for oysters to one of the oldest pearl retailing families in Bahrain.