Supporting and Integrating Local Artisans into Sustainable Tourism and Retail
By purchasing locally-made crafts and products, and shopping from local shops and markets, you can contribute to the local community and support the local economy. Shopping at street markets is a great way to support the local economies hence keeping tourism sustainable for the villages. By buying directly from the farmer, you minimize your carbon footprint and show respect for the environment. Talented local women can contribute to their households, and you have the opportunity to taste the most exclusive regional Turkish dishes and find authentic handmade gifts.
The Role of Traditional Handicrafts
Street markets are one of the best places to find fresh, organic produce and handmade arts. They are also a great place to meet local artisans and farmers. Traditional open and covered markets can be found in every city in Türkiye. At these markets, you can taste and purchase fresh or dried fruits and vegetables, local cheese, and yoghurt, and meet the hospitable vendors from around the area.
Travellers can witness the passion for tradition in Türkiye in the country’s handicrafts. Traditional handicrafts are practised in every corner of Türkiye and in everyday life and are easily accessible to visitors. For many visitors, Turkish handicrafts are a wonderful reminder of unforgettable experiences that they can take home with them as a souvenir.
Immersive Experiences with Artisans
To truly understand the value of local work, you can meet with talented artisans and discover their talents, creativity, cultures, and traditions. You may participate in curated experiences where you can meet the artisans and learn the art of pottery & rattan-basket making. For example, visitors can learn how local handicrafts contributes to the local economic development through organized visits:
- Beautiful Local Hands: Helps local artisans promote their craftsmanship skills and craft products.
- Baz’Art Kreasion: An initiative focusing on training and integration of unemployed ladies through developing craft products.
- Direct Create: A unique online and offline community that allows makers, designers and buyers to connect, collaborate and co-create handcrafted products.
During these encounters, you can discover how recycled-waste materials are transformed into unique handicrafts and unveil how recycled-waste materials are crafted into fine objects of art. You can also participate in the making and taste local “Samoussas” or enjoy a traditional Indian wedding style lunch, cooked with fresh vegetables and Indian spices.
How to Incorporate Local Artisans into your Retail Program
Whether you’re a commercial or a tribal property, there’s a good chance that you have talented artisans in your community. Many of these artisans don’t know how to maximize sales, create an invoice, or have a clear understanding of how consignment works. Here is a list of things to consider when incorporating artists into your retail outlet:
- Clearly define “why” you want to sell handmade art in your store. Do you want to offer your customers unique products that cannot be purchased elsewhere?
- Determine “who” will be responsible for the program. Consider that this program will require time and dedication to implement successfully.
- Manage the procurement, sales, and inventory. I highly suggest that you provide retail training with ongoing coaching for the artists so they have a better chance for success.
- The ugly pot-holder syndrome. You need to have a specific process in place to respectfully deny inferior art, as well as a process for providing the artist with feedback on what they can do to improve their craft.
- Share the vision and get buy-in. Describe what success looks like and articulate responsibilities and expectations for everyone at each level of the company.
Benefits of an Artisan Program
For a General Manager, this gives you a competitive advantage as you have something to offer that other retail outlets do not have. If you are an Artist, this program offers you a platform and a process to sell your goods. This creates a more sustainable and emotionally connected consumer ecosystem.
Overview of Sustainable Initiatives
| Initiative | Primary Focus | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Street Markets | Fresh produce and handmade arts | Supporting local economies and sustainable tourism |
| Baz’Art Kreasion | Unemployed women in lower-middle-class | Training in handcrafting and waste recycling |
| Direct Create | Makers, designers, and buyers | Global reach and customized handcrafted merchandise |
| Beautiful Local Hands | Village artisans | Promotion of craftsmanship skills (pottery, rattan) |
Expanding Global Reach
Direct Create is a collaboration-based community platform, built to rapidly scale the handmade sector. It facilitates the customised path, by bringing the makers and curated crafts-persons of every guise onto the technology platform and creating a space where they can collaborate along with designers or with buyers directly. On this platform one can access products carefully crafted by artisans tailored to their specifications, using indigenous techniques and conventional materials that are best suited to the environment we live in.
