Souvenirs in 2025 expand to include ink artwork with tattoos becoming popular holiday memorabilia alongside traditional trinkets.
In a recent survey by Opodo, the shopping habits of souvenirs have shown a significant evolution, influenced by both digital trends and traditional approaches. The study, which polled 9,000 international travellers, including 2,000 from the UK, revealed fascinating insights into how and what people choose to remember their holidays by.
The findings suggest that traditional souvenir shopping is indeed evolving alongside digital sharing habits. Younger generations, particularly those within the Generation Z demographic (aged 18-24), are increasingly influenced by online trends, with 29% admitting their choices are guided by social media. In contrast, older travellers, specifically those over 65, maintain more traditional collecting approaches.
Regional differences also play a significant role in souvenir behaviour. Northern Irish travellers and Londoners are the most influenced by social media trends, with 32% and 25% respectively reporting similar influence. This trend is less prevalent among Yorkshire and Humber residents, where only 4% report being influenced by online trends. Portuguese travellers proved to be the most considered in their purchases, with 29% making thoughtful choices.
Londoners emerged as the most dedicated collectors, with 49% bringing back physical items compared to other UK regions. The capital's residents also lead in social media sharing, with 26% posting their holiday purchases online. Northern Ireland leads in social media sharing at 25%.
Impulse buying drives 43% of souvenir purchases among both British and global respondents, with German travellers topping the spontaneous shopping list at 66%. Surprisingly, Generation X travellers (aged 45-54) rank as the most impulsive buyers at 48%, significantly exceeding Generation Z's 30% impulse purchase rate.
The primary motivation for 71% of collectors is remembering destinations and experiences, while 33% seek items with symbolic or local significance. Traditional keepsakes such as fridge magnets remain popular among the majority of tourists returning from abroad. However, 24% of British travellers collect unusual items such as local sand, and 31% focus on consumable souvenirs like food and drink.
The survey also found that 4% of British travellers are opting for permanent tattoos as holiday souvenirs, though the firm that conducted the survey did not explicitly name the company in the search results provided.
Souvenir habits vary dramatically by age and region, offering a fascinating snapshot into the diverse ways people choose to commemorate their travels. As digital trends continue to shape our world, it will be interesting to see how these patterns evolve in the future.
