Designing Tourist Souvenirs inspired by Mamlūk Ranks as a tool for Marketing Islamic Art and Antiquities

Hassan Hemeda, Hossam; Shihata Elzek, Yehia

doi:10.21608/mfth.2024.339644

Designing Tourist Souvenirs inspired by Mamlūk Ranks as a tool for Marketing Islamic Art and Antiquities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Tourism guidance department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, University of Sadat City

² Tourism studies department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, University of Sadat City

10.21608/mfth.2024.339644

Abstract

During the Mamlūk era in Egypt, one of the Islamic heritages that gained prominence was the Mamlūk Ranks. Ranks are the emblems that the sultans and princes put on their buildings and instruments denote their ownership. Mamlūk Ranks were also inscribed as an honorific and privilege for the Sultans on their coinage. It went beyond that to give clues about jobs and professions throughout the Mamlūk era. The purpose of this research is to shed light on the Mamlūk Ranks, including their history, significance, various forms, and potential use in the manufacture of tourism souvenirs. The research aims also to diversify and enhance Egypt's tourism souvenir market, which helps to promote Islamic antiquities and attract visitors to Egypt. A questionnaire was created and sent to a sample of academics in the fields of tourism guidance, tourism studies, and archeology at Egyptian universities to achieve the study's objectives. Additionally, employees of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities as well as those working in tourist souvenir stores were also included in the sample. A total of 108 responses were received, all of which could be subjected to statistical analysis. The study concluded that it is essential to use Mamlūk Ranks as a component of Egyptian heritage to inspire tourism souvenirs. This contributes to preserving the Islamic cultural identity of Egypt, protecting Islamic heritage from extinction, marketing Islamic antiquities in general and Mamlūk antiquities in particular, diversifying tourism products and souvenirs to appeal to a wide range of consumers and satisfy the needs of Islamic antiquities enthusiasts, and boost the competitiveness of the tourism souvenirs industry.

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