Marrakech: The “promotion of tourist circuits integrating crafts” in the Medina of Marrakech, a project which aims to promote Moroccan crafts through the tourism development of multiple historical, heritage and civilizational facets, reflecting the exceptional richness of Moroccan cultural identity.
Launched in May 2012, the project to “promote tourist circuits integrating crafts” in the Medina of Marrakech is part of a vast program financed by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), managed by the Partnership for Progress Agency (APP) and implemented by the Ministry of Crafts.
This project consists of the production and installation of signs of an orientation, information and interpretation nature throughout these new circuits, designed for better indication of cultural attractions, integrated into all craft tourist circuits.
The project adopted a participatory approach both for the design and validation of itineraries and attractions of tourist circuits and the graphic charter of signage in close collaboration with the Regional Directorates of Crafts, Tourism, Culture, and local authorities with the aim of bringing together all stakeholders and involving them in the realization of this ambitious project.
Indeed, 5 tourist circuits including crafts have been created in Marrakech on a 23 km route, including 4 circuits in the Medina intramural of 11 km. These are dedicated to the craft trades to be promoted and cover several themes, namely: “Iron and clay” for the promotion of the pottery and wrought iron sectors, “On the tanners’ route” for the leather sector, “The art of wood”, “From one thread to the next” for the weaving and embroidery trades, and “A thousand and one doors” for the wall circuit.
As a result, 4,440 points of sale of craft objects, articles or services are listed in the medina and benefit from the economic spinoffs of the tourist activity generated by these new circuits created.
In short, there are 214 panels installed in the city of Marrakech, distributed as follows:
• Directional Signage: 186 orientation signs indicating the route of the Craft Tourist Circuits;
• Explanatory and interpretative signage: 21 historical and cultural heritage interpretation panels in three languages: Arabic, French and English;
• Informative signage: 7 information panels installed at each entrance and exit to Tourist Circuits.
The mag
