The souvenir in the suitcase

For some travellers, their list of things to do on a trip also includes what they hope to bring home. According to research by Skyscanner, 43 per cent of Italians confirm that they travel to a particular destination specifically to buy products they cannot find online, ranging from traditional clothing to handicrafts and exclusive items specific to that location. From this perspective, the classic souvenir becomes the reason for organising the holiday, and social media also plays a part in driving this trend, as certain products become recognisable and sought-after. A few examples? The rise in views of TikTok videos featuring Trader Joe’s ‘tote bag’ (reusable bag) and items associated with the Ritz Paris. Travel, however, should not be reduced to a hunt for viral items, but should open one’s eyes to markets, shops and workshops that allow you to discover who makes a particular item and what connection they have with the local area. And whilst Paris will always retain its charm for lovers of window shopping or merchandising, a city like Tokyo can be the perfect destination for its specialist shops in Shibuya and Harajuku and for its boutiques brimming with items linked to pop culture and Japanese design.