Strangely, tourists are 'crazy' about supermarkets

"Supermarket tourism ", where tourists go abroad to shop at grocery stores, is predicted to be the next trend in 2025, according to Mirror.

Many tourists choose supermarkets and grocery stores as must-see destinations when traveling abroad. Photo: @hothienngaaa.

According to travel company Expedia Group's Unpack 25 report on travel trends in 2025, many travelers will prioritize visiting supermarkets when going on vacation abroad.

Specifically, 39% of tourists visit supermarkets when traveling abroad and 44% look for unique local products that are not available at home.

"Going to the supermarket counts as sightseeing. It's not only a cultural experience but also a chance to find many things to bring back as souvenirs," one tourist said on TikTok.

This trend shows that today's tourists prefer to look for unique consumer goods and merchandise as gifts, instead of traditional items such as key chains, mugs or clothes, according to news.com.au .

Jessica Jayne, who pioneered this trend, said she loves going to the supermarket to shop and sharing that moment on TikTok. In the clip at the supermarket in Santorini (Greece), Jessica chooses local cakes to enjoy.

“I really feel like shopping in a supermarket in a foreign country is part of the experience. You have to try it,” she said.

"Supermarket tourism" is predicted to be the next trend in 2025. Photo: @hothienngaaa, @theresult.store.

TikToker Daniela Araujo (living in the US) explains why so many international visitors to the US head straight to mini supermarkets like Walmart, Target or Trader Joes to shop instead of exploring famous places. "Supermarkets have things that are only available locally," he says.

Expedia Group believes TikTok is a key factor in this trend. "Platforms like TikTok are inspiring travelers, especially Gen Z, to go to TikTok to search for trending items, like Dubai chocolate bars or Korean skincare products, and then go to the supermarket to buy them when they travel. This is the new era of souvenirs, where travelers build trips around shopping," said Darren Karshagen, senior director of Expedia Group.

Additionally, by 2025, travelers will be more likely to choose lesser-known destinations over crowded ones. 63% of travelers said they would visit off-the-beaten-path destinations on their next trip.

Source