Idea no.5: Helping the tourism industry and image of Pakistan

[Dubious]

@zulu I finally felt like doing this bit...I have already attached the religious thread here....


Ok here is my idea:
@Burāq OI @Murgah @PakSword @The Diplomat @fitpOsitive @baqai @graphican @Thorough Pro @Counter-Errorist
Möbius Curve

So, I have bounced this idea a couple of times...

I am interested in boosting the cottage industry (within Pakistan):

1. stitching
2. sewing
3. embroidery
4. wood craft
5. marble craft
   
6. shoe making
7. clay work - dishes?
8. glass work
9. calligraphy
10. silk painting
11. lamp making
12. camel skin products and hair products
13. goat hair products like Pashmina has made a brand

1. We have a large poor / working class population with unique traditional skills
2. Women can work from home
3. A new source of income

How (I think) this should run :

1. EACH "artisan" will have their name signed on each product they make
2. EACH"artisan" will get like 75% if product is sold at an expo/ display/ cultural village
3. The quality would be maintained and the prices match export quality products - each "artisan" will be told at the end of each month that if quality is not met they are replaced (since we have a large population).
4. The collection would be from all over Pakistan

I would suggest these things displayed and be sold at expo and also make a cultural village like with a small entrance fee like 50 -100 Rs (to help it run) and then whatever anyone buys from there 75% goes to the maker and rest to run the "cultural village" (electricity/ stall rent/ advertisement). When I mean cultural village is not a village...But a permanent display expo in touristic spots...And make sure these are linked with travel agents who take tourists around.


They dont need to make MANY coz we arent aiming at large scale but we are aiming at custom/ original hand made products, which are unique and dont have another of its kind...Kind of like the batik of Indonesia which are "traditionally" hand made and each is given attention to detail and you dont get another one like it...Now a days machine made ones are available BUT people still prefer the traditional ones coz it makes them stand out!

1. Open jobs
   
2. This will help bring more women into the work force
3. It will help promote Pakistani goods under the banner Pakistani and hopefully export some stuff
4. It would be helpful in the long run for tourism
5. Keep alive traditional crafts and make them money making art

This may require going talent hunting. Checking out sample. Maybe even training some for online sales (i.e. http://aanganpk.com/ and websites listed below)?

I got this idea because once upon a time we used to see Pakistani textiles even British shops now we dont. I have seen indian "artisan" shops just start in front of me and expand from 1 to 2-3 shops! They display unknown brands but the bright colours and patterns make many Europeans buy them!

Many different old techniques like tie dye and stuff keep coming back in fashion...and I know Pakistani used to have alot of various ideas...and I am sure if groomed properly these "artisans" can be very creative!

@VCheng

I got this idea from reading these success tales that I and some other members posted here on PDF some years ago:
https://markhor.com/pages/our-story
http://www.popinjay.co/about/index.php
http://inaayaonline.com/shop/about-us/

I further googled and found these online stores
https://kaarvan.com/history/
https://www.pollyandotherstories.com/pages/about-us
https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/pakistan/dominion-traders
https://www.artisansgalleria.com/
https://www.gilgitbazar.com/shop/Hand-Made
http://www.vceela.com/
http://aanganpk.com/
https://www.jafferjees.com/jafferjees-history

These are very specific with what they work with - textile and jewelry...I would like to expand this to other areas!

If you notice almost all the good websites have their story and also the story of the "specific village or artists" written...or how a group of people got together and did something!


We have some training and expo:

http://www.ahan.org.pk/ahan-offers-...embroidery-adda-work-tailoring-and-stitching/
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2017/12/06/embroidering-new-future-pakistan-rural-artisans

We can also build up on religious tourism....but give it another name like a spiritual journey (Buddhism/ Sikhism/ Islam )- might help with soft image coz saying religious tourism in Pakistan would just sound weird/ scary or even not sell

 

[VCheng]

Many different old techniques like tie dye and stuff keep coming back in fashion...and I know Pakistani used to have alot of various ideas...and I am sure if groomed properly these "artisans" can be very creative!

@VCheng

I got this idea from reading these success tales that I and some other members posted here on PDF some years ago:

A great idea, that is being already tried on many levels. Punjab Small Industries Corporation started out with a dedicated handicrafts shops many years ago:

http://www.psic.gop.pk/index.php/contact-us/pakistan-handicraft-shops

and many others have jumped on the bandwagon:

http://www.pakistanhandicraft.com/

https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/pakistan (you mention them)

but your ideas have merit on their own too.

 

[Dubious]

A great idea, that is being already tried on many levels. Punjab Small Industries Corporation started out with a dedicated handicrafts shops many years ago:

http://www.psic.gop.pk/index.php/contact-us/pakistan-handicraft-shops

Yea, extremely expensive, no quality control and no artisan name!

I will now expand a little about why these selected areas:

• stitching, sewing, embroidery : each province and many cities have their own signature designs:

This image sums the wealth of traditional designs:

mirror works:

 

[zulu]

Interesting esp if u got interest in it but first for that 1)u need to be present here convincing,training,finding selling points of it 2)u also have to invest in start as capital and both 2 points is not possible for u right now btw where is tourism in it ? or should i outline plan for u but finding interested/helping parties is your concern

@zulu I finally felt like doing this bit...I have already attached the religious thread here....


Ok here is my idea:
@Burāq OI @Murgah @PakSword @The Diplomat @fitpOsitive @baqai @graphican @Thorough Pro @Counter-Errorist
Möbius Curve

So, I have bounced this idea a couple of times...

I am interested in boosting the cottage industry (within Pakistan):

1. stitching
2. sewing
3. embroidery
4. wood craft
5. marble craft
   
6. shoe making
7. clay work - dishes?
8. glass work
9. calligraphy
10. silk painting
11. lamp making
12. camel skin products and hair products
13. goat hair products like Pashmina has made a brand

1. We have a large poor / working class population with unique traditional skills
2. Women can work from home
3. A new source of income

How (I think) this should run :

1. EACH "artisan" will have their name signed on each product they make
2. EACH"artisan" will get like 75% if product is sold at an expo/ display/ cultural village
3. The quality would be maintained and the prices match export quality products - each "artisan" will be told at the end of each month that if quality is not met they are replaced (since we have a large population).
4. The collection would be from all over Pakistan

I would suggest these things displayed and be sold at expo and also make a cultural village like with a small entrance fee like 50 -100 Rs (to help it run) and then whatever anyone buys from there 75% goes to the maker and rest to run the "cultural village" (electricity/ stall rent/ advertisement). When I mean cultural village is not a village...But a permanent display expo in touristic spots...And make sure these are linked with travel agents who take tourists around.


They dont need to make MANY coz we arent aiming at large scale but we are aiming at custom/ original hand made products, which are unique and dont have another of its kind...Kind of like the batik of Indonesia which are "traditionally" hand made and each is given attention to detail and you dont get another one like it...Now a days machine made ones are available BUT people still prefer the traditional ones coz it makes them stand out!

1. Open jobs
   
2. This will help bring more women into the work force
3. It will help promote Pakistani goods under the banner Pakistani and hopefully export some stuff
4. It would be helpful in the long run for tourism
5. Keep alive traditional crafts and make them money making art

This may require going talent hunting. Checking out sample. Maybe even training some for online sales (i.e. http://aanganpk.com/ and websites listed below)?

I got this idea because once upon a time we used to see Pakistani textiles even British shops now we dont. I have seen indian "artisan" shops just start in front of me and expand from 1 to 2-3 shops! They display unknown brands but the bright colours and patterns make many Europeans buy them!

Many different old techniques like tie dye and stuff keep coming back in fashion...and I know Pakistani used to have alot of various ideas...and I am sure if groomed properly these "artisans" can be very creative!

@VCheng

I got this idea from reading these success tales that I and some other members posted here on PDF some years ago:
https://markhor.com/pages/our-story
http://www.popinjay.co/about/index.php
http://inaayaonline.com/shop/about-us/

I further googled and found these online stores
https://kaarvan.com/history/
https://www.pollyandotherstories.com/pages/about-us
https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/pakistan/dominion-traders
https://www.artisansgalleria.com/
https://www.gilgitbazar.com/shop/Hand-Made
http://www.vceela.com/
http://aanganpk.com/
https://www.jafferjees.com/jafferjees-history

These are very specific with what they work with - textile and jewelry...I would like to expand this to other areas!

If you notice almost all the good websites have their story and also the story of the "specific village or artists" written...or how a group of people got together and did something!


We have some training and expo:

http://www.ahan.org.pk/ahan-offers-...embroidery-adda-work-tailoring-and-stitching/
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2017/12/06/embroidering-new-future-pakistan-rural-artisans

We can also build up on religious tourism....but give it another name like a spiritual journey (Buddhism/ Sikhism/ Islam )- might help with soft image coz saying religious tourism in Pakistan would just sound weird/ scary or even not sell

 

[Dubious]

wood craft

Interesting esp if u got interest in it but first for that 1)u need to be present here convincing,training,finding selling points of it 2)u also have to invest in start as capital and both 2 points is not possible for u right now btw where is tourism in it ? or should i outline plan for u but finding interested/helping parties is your concern

Actually I am not sure how to go about it...It is just an idea...

I was thinking of having a "cultural village" and also have workshops (for extra cost) there- very short hands on experience (1 hr?) type for tourists....so they get to experience, take pix in action (things some tourists like) and stuff like that...

 

[zulu]

@Dubious no question it nice but as vcheng mentioned it on govt level tried but failed.reason they take it as job not passion so lot of scope there now here comes the fun part at the moment u are not on buying side but on selling so if u can find any helper preferably from family in Pakistan more preferably the female as they got better sense of design and color than us also those female workers feel more comfortable with another one (rem most from backward areas,less educated also their cultural traditions its easy this way

 

[Dubious]

marble craft, Ceramic tiles and pottery:

Onyx:

Kashikari (sounds like a catchy name itself )

I think some UNHR organization was giving workshop for these and the product from the students was auctioned.. ...Apparently some "rich" people have this in the "lobby" of their mansions!

Multani art:

Ceramic tiles:

Multani style Floor panels:

Sindhi floor tiles:

Some not very different from the "unique" Cordoba style blue art:

Pottery:

Hands on work shops:

@Dubious no question it nice but as vcheng mentioned it on govt level tried but failed.reason they take it as job not passion so lot of scope there now here comes the fun part at the moment u are not on buying side but on selling so if u can find any helper preferably from family in Pakistan more preferably the female as they got better sense of design and color than us also those female workers feel more comfortable with another one (rem most from backward areas,less educated also their cultural traditions its easy this way

The govt didnt really fail they just failed to control the quality! I have been to some of these handicraft stores....The work isnt polished enough and they are asking for price like it is world renowned! So I wish someone would work on that! Train people about the importance to OWN their work and thus put in time and effort for quality!

 

[Dubious]

shoe making

khussa:

Femal khussa with a unique touch:

Peshawari chappal:

embroidered shoes:

Artisan work: Khussa by Jooti Kapra Makaan

Unique shoe ideas:

 

[zulu]

@Dubious every product pic u posted can u do some market research on it first to check its scope also online (dont forget the logistic issue and expanses ) better i email u later so u decided 1)this or 2)tourism ????as first i need to collect some data to explain things properly

 

[Dubious]

lamp making

camel skin lamps:

Himalaya salt lamps:

Metal ware:

@Dubious every product pic u posted can u do some market research on it first to check its scope also online (dont forget the logistic issue and expanses ) better i email u later so u decided 1)this or 2)tourism ????as first i need to collect some data to explain things properly

This is just an idea...

The aim is to boost the cottage industry and make jobs for those who have skills or need income and are willing to learn the skill...Result would be - a number of households will get some income + our traditional arts and crafts will not die out!

But what is a must is quality!

And where is the tourism part?

Well, I talked about "cultural villages" (entrance fee) where you can take part in workshops (for extra pay) to do these arts (SOME tourists like to take part in activities) ...and buy these products directly from the artisans (income)

 

[Dubious]

Ok let me relay my own experiences as a tourist to make people see the "touristic" POV of keeping these art alive:

These will not be in chronological order but just as they pop in my head:

Malaysia - visited a pewter factory coz Kuala Lumpur (KL) makes stuff out of pewter esp souvenirs and allows factory visits to see the process (from safe distance - not all of the factory - most of the work is explained through mutimedia) but we got to see some parts...Bought a pewter model of twin towers...Mind you pewter is expensive stuff

Finland - went to a open museum where they had a "ceramic studio" - it was not operational but their work was laid out to buy (ugly as hell and they proudly presented their work and charged costly coz it is "handmade") but I bought 1 piece as an example

Ceramic Studio Pot Viapori located in Suomenlinna


Italy - These are like goray desi! All their attitude, taste in things and colour matches the Desi!


Verona coat of arms : I bought something like this in metal:

Murano glass is known to originate from Murano Island ...

I talked to some of the shop owners about the skill and what makes it unique- I was told : the tradition and complexity is mixing coloured glass while making it - it is blown not factory made:

Murano, Venice, Italy



Burano lace - when I went the lace school was closed so didnt really get to see much!

(expensive as hell didnt buy any though now most are factory made in China):

It should have looked like this:

and it is EXPENSIVE!!! I didnt manage to find any hand made ones...

Of course dont forget the Venetian mask:

Florence (well other parts of Italy too) for Italian leather (mostly lamb skin)! Many family owned hand made leather (non branded so were cheap but excellent skillsmenship)...I asked around and talked to many and asked them how to differentiate and these people (in broken English and Italian) told me about sheep and lamb goods...

I got to talk to 2 family owned ones....was lovely! Bought some stuff (not those expensive branded shit but it was awesome!!)

You get different prices based on the piece of leather used, treatment used and also product made.

Czech Republic:

Traditional Color Czech Glass Souvenir

 

[Dubious]

Hungary :

They were thankful to the Turks for the introduction of paprika:

Germany:
Known for their beer- Since I dont drink...I bought their traditional mug model:

Swedish - Viking boat:

Estonia : wooden carved cup -

They had this little area in Tallinn old city where you could play archery (pay) and other medieval stuff like be a knight

Scotland:

Wore traditional clothes (rent) and take photo

 

[zulu]

Its good u know so much about these things but my suggestion start with small i think we need to outline first general guideline for any project for this and all other projects to come

 

[Dubious]

UAE:
Dubai sand art

(yup they are selling sand!)



Qatar: wooden engraved in calligraphy key chain





Spanish :


Cordoba

Leaned that they have patio competitions and they used this blue paint for their flower pots coz it chased away mosquitoes:

Other souvenirs

Blue art (to me looked similar to Multani blue art )

Madrid: watched the local flaminco dance and dine:

@VCheng - these are some of the countries and experiences I was talking about

Its good u know so much about these things but my suggestion start with small i think we need to outline first general guideline for any project for this and all other projects to come

This is just a suggestion...We dont need to work on ALL the projects...Whatever majority will contribute too

Its good u know so much about these things but my suggestion start with small i think we need to outline first general guideline for any project for this and all other projects to come

I am just showing you the simple/ weird things other countries have put out for tourists!
From workshops, studio to cultural villages

These are from different COUNTRIES! We have more diversity in JUST PAKISTAN (1 country!)

@Dubious every product pic u posted can u do some market research on it first to check its scope also online (dont forget the logistic issue and expanses ) better i email u later so u decided 1)this or 2)tourism ????as first i need to collect some data to explain things properly

Right now it is just an idea...If this is what the project would be I would work on it....But for now just an idea!

 

[zulu]

No but we make outlines of those about which we know it may help/encourage other who is better placed than us but as said before u also at good point for promoting/selling.With every product its need to define end market first

We dont need to work on ALL the projects...Whatever majority will contribute too