The Role of Traditional Crafts Centers in Maintaining Heritage and its Impact onPromoting Tourism (Case Study: Foustat Traditional Crafts Center – Cairo, Egypt)

Traditional crafts are one of the most creative tools for tourism 
promotion and enhancement of the tourist flow to Egypt; also, it 
could be an important means for poverty reduction in some 
communities, through raising the economic level of these
communities by selling these unique handicrafts. These crafts,
might be made and sold by the individuals at some ethnic
regions (Nubia, North & South Sinai...etc.), or through crafts
center, such as "Foustat Traditional Crafts‟ Center".
Crafts are the testimonials of the creativity of Muslim artisans
and their interaction with pre-Islam civilization. Eventually,
Muslims came up with crafts, which highlight the essence and
values of Islam. Craft workshops were limited to the area in
Khan al-Khalili. The prosperity of crafts in the area was closely
associated with social and economic changes in society. For
instance, mass production would reduce the price and badly
affect the prospects of veteran craftspeople. A craft man and 
five apprentices were employed. The centre‟s population 
increased after a large number of veteran crafts people were 
encouraged to collaborate and a big number of apprentices was 
persuaded to come forward and train themselves. The wellequipped centre is planned to revive woodwork, brass inlay,
traditional dresses, tent-making, ivory inlay, stucco glass, etc.
The Centre also initiated an ambitious plan to market its 
products by taking part in many international exhibitions and 
fairs in different countries. It is also known that Egypt played
host to the InternationalConference of Crafts in 1995.