Most travelers choose between two types of vacation: sightseeing and shopping. Whereas a traditional tour would choose historical landmarks and other natural wonders, retail tourism is a whole new travel idea. It is a new trend of searching and experiencing local businesses.
Your journey is determined by how you spend your time in a foreign country. But when you are trying to choose between a sightseeing trip with a heavy camera pack and a shopping travel abroad that would fill your suitcase, then here is how you can see the difference between these two and why the international market must be on your bucket list.
The Thrill of the Hunt: Why It is Different
Sightseeing is a passive experience: you see a monument, learn its history, and move on. Traveling to foreign countries to shop, however, is interactive. It entails a business of interacting with locals, negotiating, and maintaining a quality eye. When a sightseer waits in a line to enter a museum, retail tourism means walking through the mazes of global markets, travel, and making new acquaintances that can never be found in a history book.
Dubai: The Gold Standard of Modern Luxury
Dubai is the first choice of the international market for the “Shopping Festival”. In this city, shopping isn’t just an activity; it’s the main event. Whereas the sightseer may go directly to the Burj Khalifa top, the retail traveler goes to the Dubai Mall.
Outside the malls, the traditional souks of Dubai have their own best treasures:
Gold Souk (Deira): The ultimate place to visit in search of jewelry and precious metals. It is one of the most controlled and primitive gold markets worldwide.
The Spice Souk: The neighboring one is where you will find pure saffron, oud, and dry hibiscus.
The Textile Souk (Bur Dubai): Heaven of silk, pashmina, and good quality fabrics. You will even get professional tailors to make you a custom-made suit or abaya in a few days.
The Perfume Souk: Visit this place to have Arabic oils (Ittar) mixed to suit you, as well as traditional incense such as Bakhoor.
Bangkok: The Global Capital of Street Style
Bangkok is the queen of variety, and Dubai is the king of luxury. This metropolis offers contrasts between luxury malls and street markets, both of which are among the most renowned in the world.
To the hardcore shopper, there are places where one cannot compromise on particular treasures:
Chatuchak Weekend Market: The Mount Everest of the markets. Visit Section 24 for both the boutique Thai fashion and home decor areas, featuring hand-carved wooden handicrafts.
Pratunam Market: The wholesale center specializing in low-cost clothing and fashionable accessories.
Pantip Plaza and MBK Center: These are the historical places of electronics, mobile devices, and technology repairs.
Pak Khlong Talat: A colorful open market that only deals with fresh flowers and exotic orchids.
Pahurat Market (Little India): It is the best shopping place in the city, where Thai silk and Indian textiles can be found at a fraction of the cost in malls.
Why Choose Retail Tourism?
A sightseeing trip gives you memories and photography, whereas a shopping travel abroad provides you with a physical touch with the culture. Whenever you put on that silk scarf you bought in Bangkok or put up that imported lantern from Dubai, you are brought back to the discovery time.
Ready to carry an extra suitcase?
We at Travassa Holidays are experts at creating tailor-made itineraries that balance both worlds. You might prefer to bring your way through the glistening souks of the UAE or the night markets of Thailand, but we ensure your vacation is as seamless as it is rewarding.