Young tourists aren’t bringing home souvenirs anymore - they’re wearing them, permanently
Forget a wallet or a new umbrella, here’s the new souvenir trend for tourists on holiday.
With the fun of holidays comes the pain in the neck of buying everyone gifts. We’ve all been there, whether it’s Hartlepool, Helsinki, or Howard’s cut-price car park hotel on the M40 motorway. Does mum want a tea towel or a gnome? A shot glass or a spade?
Well it seems the youth of today have thrown the script in the bin and have gone for something radically different. Hi Mum, I’m home, how do you like the spider tattoo on my face?
I’ll call it ‘tattourism’ because that’s it’s name and because quite honestly, it’s quite clever, but I’m really not one for these new mangled words like chillax. Anyway, tattourism is what it says on the tin: people planning trips around getting a tattoo.
Young people “increasingly prioritising experiences over things”
Julia Pandolfo, senior director of marketing for Moxy Hotels NYC, told HuffPost that the craze “blends self-expression with adventure, often creating lifelong memories through body art.”
Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the flight alert service Going, explained that “some travelers might mark their life-changing trip with a photo or trinket, while others walk away with a piece of living art on their bodies as a souvenir. Tattoo tourism is not a new trend, but with people increasingly prioritising experiences over things these days, walking away with a visual memory of your trip that lasts a lifetime can feel like a better use of funds for younger travellers.”
Hostelworld research shows over 40% of travellers aged 18 to 35 have gotten a tattoo while traveling. Of these, about one in three made a spontaneous decision, while more than half flew abroad specifically to ink themselves. Nashville studios report similar stats: roughly 40% of clients make a special trip to see an artist, with another 40% deciding on the spot while visiting the city.
“Tattourism is an incredible way to permanently stamp a meaningful reminder of a trip with loved ones and an opportunity to blend travel, art and self expression for an unforgettable experience,” Vicki Poulos, vice president for luxury lifestyle brands for IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Kimpton and Hotel Indigo brands said. “With this approach to travel, you can commemorate special moments with special people."
Rat art
by u/asshley423 in shittytattoos
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All that said, tattourism isn’t without risks. Health standards vary depending on the country, and aftercare can be tricky when you’re travelling. And don’t forget: miscommunication due to language barriers can also turn a phrase that seemed lovely into something... else.
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