Shopping Tourism

What is shopping tourism?

Shopping tourism is a new phenomenon in tourism in which travelers visit a destination for the sole purpose of purchasing goods.

Shopping at a destination is generally considered a leisure activity. But for travelers whose sole purpose is to buy things, it’s a complete travel experience; they prioritize which shops they will buy from and the time they will devote to shopping.

However, this doesn’t mean that shopping is the only reason for them to visit new places. Often travelers have an amalgamation of different motivations, like cultural interests, checking out famous monuments, and shopping.

Benefits of shopping tourism

There are shops worldwide that rely on tourism to keep their lights on. Regardless of travelers’ reasons for visiting, shopping tourism contributes directly to the growth of the local economy.

Supports the local economy

With shopping tourism gaining traction, more and more travelers are choosing to visit spots based on what they can buy. More tourists mean more revenue for shops which, in turn, means additional tax revenue for the local government.