Designing for Two Types of Travelers: The Explorer and the Efficient Gifter
Travelers often arrive in a destination with the same intention: to experience a new place and take a piece of it home with them.
But how they go about doing that can be very different.
Some travelers love to wander through markets, discover local crafts, and learn the stories behind what they buy. Others, especially those visiting for work, simply want to pick up something thoughtful for family or friends before they leave.
Understanding these two behaviors became an important design consideration while building Avendi.
Because not all travelers shop the same way.
Table of Contents
- Not All Travelers Shop the Same Way
- Business Travelers Behave Differently
- Designing for Both Journeys
- The âGiftingâ Filter
- Curation Is the Real Product
- Building for the Realities of Modern Travel
Not All Travelers Shop the Same Way
In tourism, souvenirs are more than just products, they are reminders of experiences. But the way travelers approach buying them varies widely.
Many travelers enjoy the process of discovery. They explore local markets, browse small shops, and take their time learning about the people and traditions behind what they buy. For them, shopping is part of the cultural experience.
But for other travelers, especially those on tight schedules, shopping is more practical. They may still want something meaningful, but they donât necessarily have the time to browse extensively.
Both intentions are valid. The challenge for travel platforms is designing experiences that support both types of journeys.
Business Travelers Behave Differently
Cities like Singapore and Dubai are major hubs for business tourism. Every year, millions of travelers visit these cities for conferences, meetings, and short work trips.
Business travelers often have very limited time outside of their work commitments. Their travel schedules are packed, and any personal time they have may be limited to a few hours in the evening or the morning before a flight.
Yet many still want to bring something back home â a gift for family, a small treat for colleagues, or something that reminds them of the place they visited.
For these travelers, the priority isnât exploration. Itâs efficiency.
They want to find something thoughtful, quickly, without having to navigate dozens of options..
Designing for Both Journeys
When building Avendi, we realized that supporting only one type of shopping behavior would leave many travelers underserved.
Some users want to explore categories and discover local products. Others want to quickly identify gifts based on who theyâre buying for.
So instead of forcing a single browsing experience, the platform allows users to approach shopping in two different ways.
Travelers who enjoy discovery can browse by product category, exploring things like handicrafts, local treats, accessories, and other culturally inspired products curated from local makers.
For those who prefer speed and simplicity, the experience needs to work differently.
The âGiftingâ Filter
To support more efficient decision-making, we introduced a simple toggle that lets travelers switch from browsing products to browsing by gifting purpose.
Instead of searching through categories, users can filter items based on who they are buying for:
- for family
- for kids
- for friends
- for hosts
- festive or seasonal gifts
All of these collections are curated by the Avendi team on the backend, allowing travelers to quickly find something appropriate without having to think too much about the selection process.
For a traveler rushing between meetings or heading to the airport the next morning, this small design decision can make a big difference.
Curation Is the Real Product
Another important design choice behind Avendi is intentional curation.
Many online marketplaces overwhelm users with thousands of listings. While variety can be appealing, too many options often slow down decision-making, especially for travelers who are short on time.
Instead, Avendi works with a select group of local brands and artisans in each city. This limited selection allows the platform to highlight products that are authentic, well-made, and representative of the destination.
For travelers, this reduces friction. They can trust that whatever they choose reflects the place they visited.
Sometimes fewer choices lead to better experiences.
Building for the Realities of Modern Travel
Modern travel is a mix of curiosity and practicality.
Some travelers want to immerse themselves deeply in local culture, discovering small workshops and artisan stories along the way. Others simply want to find a thoughtful gift that represents the destination before they head back home.
Designing for both behaviors requires understanding how people actually travel, and not just how we imagine they travel.
By balancing discovery with efficiency, Avendi aims to support both the explorer and the efficient gifter, making it easier for travelers to connect with local culture in a way that fits their journey.
Because in the end, the best souvenirs are the ones that feel both meaningful and effortless to bring home.
