Real Egypt and Dahabiya Nile Sailing provide sustainable tourism and one aspect of this is ethical shopping.
Most tour companies in Egypt include shop visits in their tours. This is not to benefit you, but because the companies or guides get commission payments from whatever is bought at the shops visited.
We do not include such visits to perfume (oils) shops, papyrus “museums” and other shops during our tours. We prefer to give our guests more time to experience the places they came to Egypt to see, and we do not want to put repeated pressure on our guests to buy. Many travelers know the experience of returning home and looking at things purchased in the moment (and often under pressure) and thinking “Why did I buy that?”
However we do understand some of our guests will want to shop for themselves or for gifts to take home, and Egypt offers many beautiful and useful products that can remind you of your time here.
In some of our Cairo tours we include a visit to Khan el Khalili because of the historic significance of this large and fascinating market, and as an insight to the trades that have flourished across centuries here.
During some tours there are also opportunities to buy items that support local communities, such as basketry in El Kab during Dahabiya Nile Sailing tours, and in Fayoum the pottery for which Tunis Village has become well known.
There are many ethically made, hand crafted local products that we suggest you choose in preference to the overwhelming quantities of mass produced items. With some forethought you can avoid buying products which are not good quality and sometimes were not even made in Egypt.
If you do wish to shop and have specific items in mind or you would like suggestions, please ask your guides. They will be able to suggest where to stop that will offer you better quality, locally made products.
There is a gradual increase in Egyptian brands committed to ethical employment for the craftspeople who make their products and some have shops in Cairo, Luxor or other locations.
Here are a few suggestions of brands / companies that support local craftspeople, some especially benefit local women by providing additional income for their families.
These websites or social media show some of the many products available.
Fair Trade Egypt – similar items you will see in shops and bazaars throughout Egypt, but if you prefer ethically sourced and no need to bargain they offer a wide range of products including woodcarving, jewelry, textiles, glassware.
Kendaka – beautiful and practical home products made from upcycled glass. Kendaka seeks empowerment of women in the community located in Badr, an industrial city between Cairo and Suez where former residents of earthquake affected areas in Cairo were relocated. https://kendaka.co/
Jozee – clothes and accessories embroidered by women of Siwa Oasis and Sinai.
Nevin Altmann – clothes and accessories embroidered by women of Siwa Oasis and Sinai. https://nevinaltmann.com/
Khoos – basketry (home and fashion) a wide range of designs made locally.
Skylark, Fayoum – pottery, carved wood decorations.
