Travel for Trends on a Shopping Safari

Sightseeing, dining, wandering: To travel is to awaken the inner explorer and see the best of what a destination has to offer. In between the venturing and map following, travelers shouldn’t forget about one of the travel industry’s fastest growing trends — shopping safaris.

Travel shopping no longer involves only the gift shops in your hotel’s lobby. Shopping safaris are on the rise and have become the sole purpose of travel for some groups of people, particularly Chinese travelers.

International visitors flock to the United States now more so than ever to spend their foreign currency at outlet malls in hopes of acquiring some of the world’s finest fashions at the lowest prices. Not surprisingly, New York, California and Hawai’i are the hottest destinations for discount-seeking travelers.

Because of the Chinese’s affinity for name brands, travelers from China are thrilled to find clothing prices substantially lower in the States. Major retailers in the United States, such as Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, are capitalizing on this trend by offering travel/shopping packages for visitors.

The trend is not only limited to Chinese travelers in the United States. Quality-product hunters will travel long distances for authentic goods such as Southeast Asian silks or Moroccan floor rugs. Buying from the source ensures authenticity, so long as you don’t mind paying for international shipping.