A growing number of travellers are planning holidays around vintage shopping, with 'thrift-tripping' tipped as the next big souvenir trend. Olivia Palamountain reports

Sustainable fashion trends are making their mark on tourism as new data from Bókun, shows market and shopping tours have become the second most popular travel activity.

30% of travellers booking these excursions according to Arival's 2025 report - ranking second only to traditional sightseeing.

This surge reflects a broader shift in souvenir preferences, with TikTok videos showcasing "thrifted souvenirs" gaining hundreds of thousands of views as an alternative to conventional travel mementos.Google search data reveals demand for market tours increased 61% over the past year, whilst location-specific vintage shopping queries have exploded. Searches for "thrifting in Bangkok," "Italy vintage markets" and "vintage tours Miami" jumped 1000% in the past month alone, according to Bókun.

The trend, dubbed "thrift tripping," sees travellers specifically planning destinations around vintage shops, flea markets and thrift stores. Social media has amplified the movement, with one TikTok video captioned "the only travel souvenirs I take home these days, are thrifted clothes" attracting 138,400 views and comments including "I'm stealing this ASAP" and "going there tomorrow with the girls."

Samuel Jefferies, senior growth marketing manager at Bókun, says: "This is an exciting time, in which two industries - sustainable fashion and travel converge, with people's growing interest in sustainable fashion, directly shaping the activities and experiences travellers are seeking."The shift coincides with broader sustainability concerns in travel, with 93% of global travellers expressing desire to make more sustainable choices, says Booking.com. Thrifted clothing offers a more environmentally conscious alternative to mass-produced tourist souvenirs whilst providing unique, locally-sourced items.

Tour operators are adapting to demand by incorporating vintage shopping stops into existing experiences. Jefferies suggests adding flea market visits to walking tours or partnering with second-hand vendors to create vintage shopping experiences could attract new audiences.

The trend particularly resonates with Gen Z, who lead sustainable fashion adoption through platforms such as Vinted and Depop. Rather than collecting standardised souvenirs, these travellers seek authentic local finds that reflect both their destinations and personal style preferences whilst supporting small businesses and reducing environmental impact.