When you think of going on safari you probably imagine being on a reserve on the lookout for elephants, giraffes or lions. There is a new type of safari that’s on the rise that has nothing to do with animals or being outdoors. Shopping safaris (a/k/a shopping vacations,) are emerging as a travel trend, especially with Chinese tourists.
By The Numbers
About 27% of Chinese tourists spend most of their money on shopping than on any other part of their vacation. These travelers forgo popular tourist attractions and hit up the malls or outlet stores. In 2014 tourists from China that traveled to the United States spent $24 billion. To put this in perspective, they made up the second largest spending group of U.S. visitors, coming in second only to Canadians. The most popular states for those on a shopping safari are Hawaii, New York and California.
The Benefits
There are many benefits for going on a shopping safari, including:
Variety Of Goods. Let’s face it, the United States has a wealth of goods that may not be available in other countries. If you are looking to redecorate your home or change up your wardrobe, it might make sense to go on a shopping safari. This is especially true if you are looking for some unique items that none of your friends or family members have.
Money Saving Aspects. It might seem counterproductive to spend money going on vacation to save money on goods, but let me explain. Yes, you will spend money traveling overseas to go on a shopping safari. However, you might actually end up saving money if you are able to obtain goods that cost a fraction of what you’d spend in your home country. That awesome picture that’s only $10 at the outlet mall in Orlando might cost hundreds of dollars if purchased in another country such as China.
Entertainment Value. Tourist attractions and exhibits aren’t popular among everyone. Shopping in another country might be more entertaining for some travelers versus visiting the Empire State Building or The Eiffel Tower.
If you plan on going on a shopping safari, you don’t have to go overseas to do it. Many Americans go on shopping safaris without ever leaving the United States. Just don’t forget to pack extra luggage so you can store all of your goods to bring home. Are there any cities or countries that you like to go on a shopping safari in?
