Why So Many Souvenirs Gather Dust on Travelers' Shelves
Photo Credit: Souvenirs needs a revolution. Unsplash / Suraj Shakya
Skift Take
Souvenirs are an essential part of the travel experience, but they still haven't under gone the revolution like other parts of the travel economy. New innovative ways to support local artisans and communities in tourism are still unrealized.
Travelers hardly use the souvenirs they purchase at destinations, for the most part. They would derive longer lasting value from their souvenirs if delivery costs didn't limit their purchase options and hamper the creativity of souvenir businesses.
In a time of growing awareness by travelers of their impact to the environment and of their own sustainability practices, hoarding trinkets from spur-of-the-moment purchases on trips might be facing a new level of scrutiny.
Yet, those trinkets, souvenirs, art and craft works are the lifeblood of local tourism economies across the globe. Hustling locals are able to feed their families because of what tourists purchase from them.
Souvenir shopping is a “huge export,” said Peter van Berkel, chairman of the International Inbound Travel Association and president of Travalco. In 2021, souvenir, gift and novelty sales in the U.S. alone amounted to around $19 billion, according to St
