The next time you take an exotic vacation overseas, or perhaps even to another part of the U.S., don’t forget to stop by a grocery store.
“Grocery store tourism” is suddenly a red-hot TikTok trend. Travelers who participate in this craze sample grocery stores around the world and share what they find on social media.
So, what makes grocery store tourism so popular? Here are a few reasons.
It’s a new way to sightsee
The Parthenon and Eiffel Tower are undeniably breathtaking — but so are “chanterelles in a cream sauce”-flavored Lay’s chips found in Estonia.
For jaded travelers who have seen it all, grocery store tourism opens up a new world of sightseeing at a reasonable cost.
It’s a cultural experience
If you want to dive deeply into local culture, it is tough to top a stop at a local grocery store.
Food is at the very center of our daily lives. You are what you eat, whether we are talking about individuals or an entire society.
You can try new foods
We live in the era of the “foodie,” when people have turned the act of pursuing the latest food fads into a hobby.
Given that reality, perhaps it was inevitable that grocery store tourism would become its own travel niche.
You can find souvenirs
Sure, you could bring home a T-shirt or mug from your travels. But grocery store tourism allows you to literally share a taste of your travels with loved ones back home.
So, pour your mom a cool glass of chocolate-flavored Milo as you regale her with tales of your exploits through Malaysia.
You can support working-class folks in foreign lands
Recent protests in Barcelona, Spain — where tourists were targeted with water pistols — show that locals are not always thrilled to have travelers invade their city.
However, by shopping in local grocery stores, you help support the local economy and the workers who keep businesses afloat.
