Bangkok souvenir ideas as Renaissance Hotels’ R Finds promotes local artisans around world

Digital platform R Finds sells items by local businesses where Renaissance hotels are located. We speak to 3 featured artisans in Bangkok

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An event at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel celebrating the launch of R Finds. The platform sells the products of local artisans from Bangkok to France, without taking commission. Photo: Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel

Published: 4:15pm, 3 Dec 2024

It is a common scene at airports: tourists crowded around a gift shop a few minutes before their flight leaves, looking for last-minute souvenirs.

The lucky ones might spot some local snacks and knick-knacks, but for the most part the souvenirs – keychains, magnets, T-shirts and stuffed animals – are likely to be uninspiring, not produced locally and available elsewhere.

To make it easier for tourists to discover local brands selling unique souvenirs, Renaissance Hotels has launched R Finds, a digital marketplace with a curated collection of items made by local businesses.

The main goal of the platform – which takes no commission – is to highlight the creativity of the communities in which its hotels are located.

Each Renaissance hotel holds a yearly Global Day of Discovery, connected by an overarching theme. This year’s event, held on November 19, had a night market theme. Photo: Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel

Expect to see plenty of artisanal crafts, fashion accessories, home decor and culinary gifts made by businesses from Vietnam to India to Mexico to France.

Exploring neighbourhoods and spontaneous travel are interwoven in Renaissance’s identity, according to parent group Marriott International.