When asked why they buy fewer souvenirs when on holiday abroad, 32% said the reason was not having as much money to spend while on holiday, and the same number of people said they are conscious of the environment and not wanting to buy unnecessary items. But just ahead as the most popular reason for not buying as many souvenirs is that people found the habit and the products a bit old fashioned and tacky (33%). Other reasons people said their gift giving habits are different are due to the changes in luggage allowances over the years and that people are travelling more so they can buy their own souvenirs.
It is family members most likely to receive a memento from overseas, with 41% of people who holiday abroad and buy gifts buying for adult relatives and 32% buying for children in the family. The most common gifts given are food and drink (including alcohol), ornaments, clothes and fridge magnets. There also appears to be a theme of receiving animal related items – with a fake crocodile head, plastic donkey and large wooden elephant amongst the items people have been given as a holiday souvenir, and one person even reported receiving live fish! One in ten people said they still buy for their work colleagues, suggesting that despite the shift to hybrid working the custom of bringing a holiday treat back to share with colleagues in the office still continues.
Many people also reported bringing a little something back for their pet sitter. For a lot of people travelling abroad.