Brits have been named the worst behaved tourists in the world, says new research for Expedia.
The annual Expedia Best Tourist research is carried out among 4,000 hoteliers worldwide and ranks nationalities according to who are the best and worst in terms of behaviour, politeness, respect for local culture, style and tipping waiting staff.
While Brits were voted the worst behaved by European hoteliers for flouting local culture, being rude, messy and loud, the Japanese, Germans and Americans topped the poll as the best-behaved tourists in the world.
The research revealed that Brits are not all bad news. They are viewed as big spenders on holidays coming a close second to generous Americans, the most polite after the Japanese, and best dressed after the Italians.
Expedia director of communications Alison Couper said: “It’s clear we’ve still got a way to go to shed our hell raising image while abroad, although a lot of this could be put down to blissful ignorance of local cultures.
“For anyone travelling this summer it is worth checking in with the local tourist office to find out what is appropriate to each local culture and what the big no-nos are in terms of local etiquette. However, it’s encouraging to see we’re winning in the popularity stakes in other key criteria such as trying out local foods, generosity and style. “
Other facts from the research
World’s favourite
The Japanese tourists came out as the best in the world because of their quiet and tidy nature and quiet behaviour.
World’s worst tourist
Indians, French, Russian and Mexicans all came in for criticism for their behaviour whilst on holiday.
Fashion victims to fashion elite
The British penchant for ‘socks and sandals’ appears to be dead and buried, with hoteliers voting Brits the second best dressed tourists in the world, second only to the Italians. This is a significant improvement from last year, when the various British fashion disasters abroad put us as second worst dressers. The Americans are still the worst dressed by a very long way.
Tipping not included
French are the meanest tippers in the world, followed by Germans and British.
How clean is your holiday?
It seems the British obsession with programmes such as ‘How Clean Is Your House’ has no bearing on their attitude to tidiness abroad – they have been voted the messiest tourists in the world.