A keepsake or memento, such as a souvenir, is an item treasured for the memories it holds. Often collected or bought during travels, souvenirs serve as reminders of special trips or gestures of affection. To uncover the most popular souvenirs across 20 highly visited countries, travel experts at Iglu Cruise utilized Google Trends Data to capture the prevailing choices in each nation.
Jewellery emerged as the top pick in several countries, particularly renowned for designer pieces in places like France, Greece, Malaysia, and Poland. France, in particular, boasts a substantial luxury jewellery market valued at over $3 billion.
Tea, an iconic beverage, stood out as the most sought-after souvenir in China, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom, where an astounding 5 billion cups are consumed daily. Austria is acclaimed for its chocolate, often taken as a souvenir, with its citizens consuming an average of 8.10kg of chocolate annually, following Switzerland.
Canada's renowned souvenir is Maple Syrup, with Quebec producing 70 percent of the world's supply, commonly enjoyed with various foods like pancakes and waffles. In Germany, beer steins are a popular choice, associated with the annual Oktoberfest celebrations and appreciated for their decorative appeal.
Italy's prized souvenir is wine, given its status as the largest wine exporter globally, with approximately 383,000 vineyards within the country. Japan's commonly gifted souvenir is chopsticks, symbolizing good health, wealth, and family well-being according to local tradition.
Tequila stands as Mexico's most popular souvenir, boasting an annual production exceeding 650 million litres, made from the blue agave plant indigenous to the country. The Netherlands is known for its clogs, while Portugal is a significant producer of cork, attributing to cork as a favoured souvenir.
Spain's most coveted souvenir is olive oil, with the country producing more than half of the world's supply. Wooden carvings made from teak wood represent Thailand's most preferred souvenir, often featuring elephants, of which the country is home to over 3,000.
Turkish Delight is Turkey's quintessential souvenir, a jelly confectionery made from natural ingredients and recognized for its vibrant appearance. In the USA, the American flag holds the distinction of being the most sought-after souvenir, with an estimated 150 million sold annually
Lastly, coffee is Vietnam's standout souvenir, positioning the country as the second-largest coffee producer after Brazil.
