– **As objects:**
– Eiffel Tower souvenirs from Paris, France
– Sea shells in New Zealand discouraged for collection to protect the environment
– Souvenir trade important for local economy and visitor mementos
– Most collected tourist souvenirs are self-generated photographs
– Souvenirs include mass-produced items like T-shirts, postcards, and household items
– **As memorabilia:**
– Memorabilia valued for connection to events, professions, or brands
– Examples include sporting events, historical events, and entertainment
– Items like clothing, game equipment, and movie memorabilia are considered memorabilia
– Memorabilia often kept in protective covers or display cases
– Memorabilia can be related to collections like action figures or video games
– **As gifts:**
– In Japan, souvenirs known as omiyage, often food products
– Omiyage are selected from meibutsu, products associated with a region
– Bringing back omiyage is a social obligation in Japan
– Travelers may buy souvenirs as gifts for those who did not travel
– Omiyage sales are significant at Japanese tourist sites
– **External links:**
– Look up “souvenir” in Wiktionary for more information
– References available for further reading on souvenir history and development
– Information on aviation and airline memorabilia
– Studies on souvenir design and development in tourism
– Research on omiyage gift purchasing by Japanese travelers in the U.S.
A souvenir (from French 'a remembrance or memory'), memento, keepsake, or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. A souvenir can be any object that can be collected or purchased and transported home by the traveler as a memento of a visit. The object itself may have intrinsic value, or be a symbol of experience. Without the owner's input, the symbolic meaning is lost and cannot be articulated.