Even if they appear appealing initially, whether they’re items crafted from animals, cultural artifacts, or other unique objects, they conceal hidden stories. Many travelers are unaware that buying these souvenirs supports a dark business – one that involves illegal trade, environmental harm, and cultural exploitation.
Reasons to Avoid Purchasing Forbidden Souvenirs
Forbidden souvenirs might seem tempting, but buying them leads to serious problems. Think about the animals in danger, hunted for their tusks or skins, because people want exotic trophies. This makes their numbers go down. Also, imagine ancient places being robbed for money and losing their history. Each purchase of these souvenirs keeps causing harm, making it harder to protect nature and risking the special places we love.
How to Avoid Buying Forbidden Souvenirs
When you’re drawn to a souvenir, don’t rush to buy it. Instead, consider where it came from. Your ability to spot illegal souvenirs is crucial here. It’s best to follow guidelines in such situations:
- Understand local regulations and research the specific laws about souvenirs before you buy
- Always request proper documentation for any artifact or item you plan to purchase
- Refrain from buying products made from endangered species, as it contributes to illegal wildlife trade
- Choose vendors with a commitment to ethical and legal business practices
- Ask our guides or local authorities about the legality of souvenirs
Forbidden Souvenirs in Georgia:
During the process of obtaining Travelife Partner Status, we made efforts to compile a list of potential illegal souvenirs in Georgia. While the list may not cover all options, it can still offer insight into the types of illegal souvenirs you might encounter while traveling here.
- Bear pelt
- Fox hide
- Wolf hide
- Horns of Caucasian ibex
- Horn of Alpine chamois
- Any type of taxidermy trophy
- Fragment of stalactites and stalagmites
- Seeds of plants facing the threat of extinction.
- Coins, paintings, jewelry, inscriptions, and armor with cultural heritage significance
- Any stolen art items
Summary
VisitGeorgia understands that eliminating the harmful practice of buying and selling forbidden souvenirs is extremely challenging. However, through our partnership with Travelife, we are committed to our best efforts to spread awareness, provide essential information, and equip our guides and travelers with the necessary skills to avoid purchasing items that harm our natural environment, historical artifacts, culture, and other sensitive aspects of life.
