Shop from a medina in Marrakesh without leaving your house

If you would prefer to support small, local businesses rather than giving your money to retail giants, two new online shopping experiences are offering people around the world the opportunity to interact with local artisans in Marrakesh.

Intrepid Travel is launching two pilot online shopping experiences to promote and empower small businesses and local artisans, who otherwise wouldn’t have the resources to attract online shoppers. Many small enterprises around the world suffered during the global COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with travel being so heavily impacted, while large, online corporations got richer. The experiences are being offered in partnership with Local Purse, which supports professional guides and local artisans by providing personalized live video shopping experiences.

A herbal shop in Marrakesh — You could shop at Koutoubia Herbal in Marrakesh © Intrepid Travel

The forthcoming online experiences offer the chance for people around the world to interact with local artisans in Marrakesh, and any purchased items will be shipped to their door. The Marrakesh spice and wellness experience takes place on 8 December, and it focuses on Koutoubia Herbal, a small shop in the medina. Marrakesh native, Abdeljalil Raqas, will introduce shoppers to locally-made Argan-based skincare, perfume, hamam and spa products as well as herbs and spices.

There is a traditional Moroccan Berber rug experience the following day on 9 December, where shoppers can purchase from Dar Mjber store. Its rugs are sourced from different tribes from all over Morocco and handmade by the women of the tribes, ensuring employment for women in rural communities. Local artisan, Aziz Mejbar, will tell shoppers the story behind the historic, memorable rug they’re purchasing.

Women looking at Berber rugs in Marrakech — A traditional Moroccan Berber rug experience is being offered online © Intrepid Travel

Both tours visit AlNour, a social enterprise that offers artisan skills training programs and childcare for disabled women to help them attain a sustainable livelihood. Ensuring the money goes into locals’ hands, all proceeds from the purchases go directly to the NGOs, local guides and artisans. The experiences both take place at 7am EST on the dates in question and cost approximately $12 (€10). Further information is available from Intrepid Travel's website