By Staff reporter, in Accra, Ghana
Fridge magnets, novelty t-shirts and miniature statues were once the souvenirs to bring home from travels. However, in recent years, a ‘taste for travel’ means that international foods are the top tourist take-aways, according to insight from British Airways.
From over 200 destinations that British Airways and its codeshare partners operate, the airline has compiled the most popular foodstuffs holidaymakers bring home. The Managing Director British Airways Holidays, Claire Bentley said: “One of the great pleasures of travelling is sampling new and exciting foods. Travel food programmes on TV have inspired many of us to visit food markets and try local dishes when abroad.
“We associate happy memories with holidays, and being able to relive these, even for just a few pleasurable moment with a glass of Chianti, or slice of rum cake, can transport us back to our holiday instantly.” The top 10 most popular treats to bring home from abroad included: Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates (USA); Turkish Delights (Turkey and Greece); Peanut M&Ms (USA); Tayto’s Cheese and Onion Crisps (Ireland); The Chocolate Block Wine (South Africa); and Tim Tam’s (Australia).
British Airways’ wine buyer Andy Sparrow from Bibendum, said: “Food and travel go together like cheese and wine. There’s definitely a growing interest in visiting the providence of where produce comes from and Argentina, France, Italy, South Africa and USA are the best destinations for wine lovers.”
America
The United States is home to our favourite sugary treats. For comedy value, Butterfinger, Whoopers and Milk Duds are popular gifts, along with favourites – Peanut M&Ms, Ghirardelli chocolate, Twizzlers, Hershey’s, Jolly Ranchers’ and Reese’s Pieces. Despite the space they take up in luggage, cereals Lucky Charms and Froot Loops are also top buys.
The Caribbean
One Rum Punch and you’re converted, so it’s no surprise that Mount Gay Rum and Tortuga Rum Cake are favourite Caribbean treats to bring back. Local Banks Beer, Bajan Hot Sauce, and dry jerk rub are also popular produce from Barbados, Grenada, Antigua and Jamaica.
Ireland
No trip to Ireland is complete without sampling the local white pudding, soda bread and cheese and onion Tayto’s Crisps, washed down with Guinness. While stocking up on rations, visitors also shop for Paddy’s Whiskey and Bailey’s Irish Cream.
France
Cheese and wine are two of the most popular goods that holidaymakers bring back from France. Wines from the Burgundy, Champagne and Bordeaux regions are the most popular, accompanied with Camembert, Brie and Roquefort cheese.
Portugal
Piri Piri sauce, Oliveira da Serra Gourmet Olive Oil and local Port are among Portugal’s best-selling tourist souvenirs.
Italy
Italy is the top destination for foodies in Europe, with Lemoncello, Panatone, Balsamic vinegar, olive-oil, dried pasta (particularly in different colours) and Chianti.
Marrakech
Visitors come to Marrakech for its markets and souks, providing culinary and household goods at a fraction of the cost. Saffron, cinnamon and Argan Oil are the most popular.
Dubai
Middle-eastern goods, including stuffed dates, almonds, cashew nuts and baklava are so popular that they are available in extra-large packs at the airport.
Japan
Visitors to Japan stock up on Saki and Asahi Beer, while those with adventurous palates also include miso soup stock, umeboshi (pickled fruits) and katsuobushi (dried fish flakes).
India
Depending where you travel to, foods can vary greatly. However, some of the staples that travellers tend to bring back include; Bombay mix, cardamom seeds and local sweet barfi.
China
China is set to become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the next ten years, and some of the unusual foods travellers bring home include; Lay’s Cucumber crisp’s, soy sauce and ground Szechuan pepper.
Australia
As any expat will tell you, Tim Tams, Fantales, Cherry Ripe bars and Vegemite are iconic foods from the homeland as well as the top foods to bring back from down under.
African Eye News
