Who are the world’s worst tourists? Six nations that stand out - you may be surprised
Chinese travellers often make headlines, but with 122 million of them going overseas on holiday in 2016, a tiny few can create a skewed impression - and they’re in good (or is that bad?) company
There was a time when what happened on tour, stayed on tour. Not any more. Smartphones have changed the game, allowing holidaymakers (and hosts) to capture and upload clips of shocking behaviour to social media sites in glorious HD. Then there are the travel companies that gleefully divulge examples of nationally ranked naughtiness.
According to a 2015 survey by Hotels.com, Argentinians are most likely to steal items (not including toiletries) from their rooms. Sticky-fingered Singaporeans took silver, so to speak, while Hongkongers were among the more trustworthy hotel guests.
But which nationality horrifies locals the most and leaves fellow citizens cringing with embarrassment at their antics? In no particular order, let the crude stereotyping begin.
1 Chinese
However, it’s also fair to point out that a whopping 122 million Chinese made outbound trips in 2016 and the overwhelming majority of those flag-following sightseers didn’t put a foot wrong.
Ironically, Chinese tour groups may end up being the saviours of the holiday industry in some parts of the world. They’re already helping to prop up destinations, such as Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia, that have suffered downturns in the aftermath of terrorist attacks.