In the year 2025, tattoos emerge as new must-have mementos for vacationers alongside traditional trinkets.
In a recent survey conducted by Opodo, intriguing insights about souvenir habits among international travellers were uncovered. The poll, which included 2,000 participants from the UK, shed light on how different generations and regions approach collecting mementoes from their travels.
The survey revealed that Generation X travellers (aged 45-54) are the most impulsive buyers, with 48% admitting to making impulse purchases, significantly surpassing Generation Z's 30%. This trend contrasts with the online shopping landscape, where British men prove more susceptible to online influence than women, at 18% versus 8% respectively.
Memory creation is a primary motivation for most travellers. The survey found that 41% of respondents prioritise creating memories through photographs or travel journals, while 71% of collectors are driven by the desire to remember destinations and experiences. Interestingly, 33% seek items with symbolic or local significance, and 24% of British travellers collect unusual items such as local sand.
The survey also highlighted regional differences in souvenir habits. For instance, 32% of Northern Irish travellers and 25% of Londoners are influenced by social media trends for souvenirs, while only 4% of Yorkshire and Humber residents are. Traditional souvenir shopping is evolving alongside digital sharing habits, with younger generations increasingly influenced by online trends, while older travellers maintain more traditional collecting approaches.
Londoners emerged as the most dedicated collectors, with 49% bringing back physical items compared to other UK regions. Memory sharing among British travellers primarily focuses on family (58%), friends (43%), and romantic partners (33%). Northern Ireland leads in social media sharing at 25%, and the capital's residents also lead in social media sharing, with 26% posting their holiday purchases online.
Interestingly, more than one quarter (27%) of global travellers always return with something special, though 4% of UK respondents never bring anything back - the highest rate among surveyed countries. A new finding from the survey is that 4% of British travellers are choosing to permanently immortalise their holidays with tattoos.
The survey also found that souvenir habits vary dramatically by age. Among UK travellers aged 18-24, 32% always return with holiday mementoes, compared to just 4% of those over 65. Equal numbers (35%) still purchase themed souvenirs such as fridge magnets or local crafts and jewellery. Social media influence on purchasing decisions shows a clear age divide. Nearly three in ten Generation Z travellers (29%) admit their souvenir choices are influenced by online trends.
Impulse buying drives 43% of souvenir purchases among both British and global respondents. Moreover, 37% of global travellers have started new collections after discovering items abroad, but UK travellers lag behind at 23%. German travellers are the most spontaneous shoppers at 66%, while Portuguese travellers are the most considered at 29%.
In conclusion, the Opodo survey offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse souvenir habits of British travellers. From impulsive buying to traditional collecting, the survey reveals a rich tapestry of experiences that travellers cherish and the mementoes they bring home to remember their journeys.
