These days, it’s estimated that around one-third of the average tourist’s travel budget is spent on retail items. However, most souvenirs people buy on vacation probably aren’t even produced in the country they are visiting. Think of all the ball caps, T-shirts, bracelets, bumper stickers, and novelty items on sale at any tourist hotspot. Often, these items are produced on the opposite side of the world and shipped to the local area where they are sold.
In the 21st century, the current model of the souvenir industry just isn’t sustainable. The fuel spent on shipping massive containers of cheap, mass-produced items has a serious environmental impact. In many cases, the people making these inexpensive clothing and plastic items may be working at factories in poor conditions. What’s more, such souvenirs don’t benefit the local community where they are sold in the same way as locally produced items do.
To promote local communities’ well-being and environmental sustainability, both tourists and local governments need to take concrete steps to change things around. Governments should encourage vendors to stock a majority of locally made products instead of cheaper items imported from foreign countries. Conscientious tourists can choose to purchase locally produced souvenirs to support the livelihoods of local craftsmen and businesses. This helps create a more symbiotic relationship between tourists and the communities they visit, directly promoting the economic development of the local area. While local handmade goods may be a bit more expensive, they generally offer better quality and contribute significantly to preserving local cultures and traditions.
Photo: AP
如今，估計遊客旅行預算的三分之一左右花費在零售商品上。然而，大多數人在度假時購買的紀念品可能甚至都不是在他們所造訪的國家製造的。想一下在任何熱門旅遊勝地出售的所有棒球帽、T 恤、手鐲、保險桿貼紙和新奇的物品。通常，這些物品是在世界的另一端生產，然後運送到它們被出售的當地。
在二十一世紀，目前的紀念品產業模式沒有永續性。運送大規模生產之廉價物品的巨大貨櫃所耗費的燃料對環境造成嚴重衝擊。在許多情況下，製造這些價格較低的服裝和塑膠商品的人可能在勞動條件惡劣的工廠裡工作。而且，這樣的紀念品不像當地生產的物品一樣，在被銷售的地方以同樣方式造福當地社區。
為了提升當地社區福祉和環境永續性，遊客和當地政府都需要採取具體措施來改變現狀。政府應鼓勵小販進多為當地製造的產品，而非從外國進口的較便宜商品。有意識的遊客可以選擇購買當地製作的紀念品以支持當地工匠和企業的生計。這有助於創造遊客與所造訪社區之間更加共生的關係，直接促進當地的經濟發展。雖然當地的手工製品可能會稍微貴一點，但通常提供較好的品質，並在很大程度上有助於保存當地的文化和傳統。
What Did You Learn?
1. According to the passage, who most likely bought the earliest souvenirs in history?
(A) Rich visitors. (B) Local craftsmen. (C) Factory workers. (D) Holy people.
2. Which of the following is NOT an example of buying a souvenir?
(A) Anna bought a traditional wooden keychain on her vacation to Kyoto, Japan.
(B) George bought a handmade wide-brim hat from Panama on his company trip.
(C) Judy bought a Barbie doll for her daughter at a toy store on her way home.
(D) Bruce bought a Starbucks mug from Barcelona when he visited his uncle in Spain.
3. What is a problem with the modern souvenir industry?
(A) Traditional handicrafts must be shipped overseas.
(B) Some vacation spots are more popular than others.
(C) A lot of items bought by tourists don’t help the local economy.
(D) Governments are closing down factories where gifts are produced.
4. What does the author advise people to do to make souvenirs sustainable?
(A) Only order souvenirs online. (B) Try to buy locally produced items.
(C) Shop at stores that sell imported items.
(D) Buy the most expensive gifts available.
答案：1. A 2. C 3. C 4. B
Word in Use
1. budget n. 預算
We don’t know if the total cost will exceed our budget.
我們不知道總花費是否會超出我們的預算。
2. novelty n.
新奇的事物；新穎小巧而價廉的物品
I discovered a charming novelty shop downtown with unique and affordable items.
我在市區發現了一家迷人的新奇小店，裡面有各種獨特且價格合理的物品。
3. sustainable a. 能永續∕持續的
According to the report, economic growth is sustainable in that country.
根據這份報告，該國的經濟成長是持續的。
4. container n. 貨櫃；容器
You should store these cookies in a container with a tight lid.
你應該把這些餅乾保存在一個有密閉蓋子的容器裡。
5. mass-produced a. 大量生產的
The mass-produced furniture lacked the quality and detail I wanted, so I chose a handmade piece instead.
大量生產的傢俱缺乏我想要的質感和細節，所以我轉而選擇了手工製作的作品。
Practical Phrases
1. It is estimated + that 子句 據估計……
It is estimated that 50,000 people will attend the demonstration.
估計有五萬人會參加這次的示威遊行。
2. on sale 出售
There is a wide range of magazines and books on sale in that bookstore.
那間書店出售各種不同的雜誌和書籍。
3. take steps to V 採取措施（做）……
The mayor should take steps to crack down on drug abuse.
市長應該採取措施來掃蕩毒品濫用。
4. a majority of... 大部分∕大多數的……
A majority of the students will go to the concert.
大多數的學生都會去看演唱會。
5. contribute to N/V-ing 對……有貢獻
contribute vi. & vt. 貢獻
That doctor has contributed a lot to his field of
medicine.
那位醫生對其醫學領域很有貢獻。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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