Travel & Tourism (131)
Foreign shopping spree
According to numbers presented by HSBC, a new kind of travelling is on the rise: the hunt for the trendiest bags and accessories at the best price. It’s called “accessories tourism” and it consists of mapping out your next holiday depending on the country (or countries) that offers the best price for a Hermès Birkin or Chanel’s 2.55 bag.
Why it matters
Global shopping is now a reality thanks to the Internet, but it seems that more and more “big spenders” are willing to spend a lot more just for the satisfaction of buying a coveted item at the best possible price, even if it means travelling somewhere far from home. In terms of ethnicity the Chinese are the biggest spenders, followed by Germans and Americans. According to the HSBC study, buying abroad is no more a question of status, but a question of saving money. About 30% of luxury goods sales are now made by this new type of traveller. Will this trend influence retailers? Will we start seeing the price of some must-have items in tourist guides side-by-side with the best museums and must-see monuments?
Related articles
The travel operator ‘Splashline’ is now offering vacations especially for apprentices. The company also offers tailored packages for students, graduates and those looking to marry abroad.
The German “E-Tour” project gives tourists the opportunity to discover the Bavarian region Allgäu by renting electric cars.
