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Recently, researchers Shaheer and Neil Carr noted some observations about tourist behavior. They analyzed social media comments about issues that tourists are likely to cause to alienate locals after each holiday.
Shaheer and Neil Carr hope that their research can contribute to creating a friendly environment for both locals and tourists. Below are 5 of the 13 offensive behaviors that tourists may dislike, which they can refer to and avoid during their travels.
Lack of local cultural knowledge
Tourists who disrespect local values are causing offense.
According to Shaheer and Neil Carr, these types of people often disregard the local culture and regulations of the places they visit. In addition, some exhibit a lack of tact regarding local customs and traditions. As evidence of this, the two researchers cite the example of tourists visiting the Ground Zero memorial in New York (USA).
Many visitors come here and automatically view it as a tourist attraction rather than a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ismael and Neil advise visitors to research the history and local customs of the place they are visiting beforehand.
Noisy, disorderly
Noisy tourists often disturb others.
Noisy people disrupt the lives of those around them wherever they go. Among the social media comments surveyed by Ismael and Neil, a London resident recounted their unpleasant experience with visitors to St. Paul's Church.
"They just went there for a stroll and didn't hesitate to take selfies while the church was in service. It's not just me; many other locals also find this seemingly harmless behavior offensive," this person commented.
Noisy and disruptive tourists are a negative aspect of the tourism industry, becoming a problem for many destinations. Many popular tourist spots, such as Venice, are trying to establish regulations and codes of conduct in public places to minimize this tourism pollution.
Take a photo
Tourists take photos without paying attention to their surroundings.
Taking photos is an essential part of any trip. However, some tourists travel solely for the sake of taking pictures, disregarding other factors. Some even ignore safety, regulations, and local customs just to get a set of photos. Naturally, such tourists easily become a thorn in the side of the locals.
Shaheer and Neil Carr's research cites examples of tourists taking selfies at the Holocaust memorial in Berlin, Germany, and people photographing locals without their consent. Furthermore, many tourists disturb wildlife and damage trees and the surrounding environment just to get a picture.
Littering
Tourists should refrain from littering in public places.
In places with developed tourism, littering is unavoidable. Even famous tourist destinations in Europe like Paris are not immune to some tourists spitting indiscriminately, or even urinating and defecating in public. Many destinations have implemented strict regulations and penalties to deter these inconsiderate tourists. In Spain, tourists will be fined if they urinate in the sea.
Ignoring safety factors.
Tourists who disregard safety will negatively impact those around them.
Tourists ignoring instructions and signs not only put themselves at risk but also affect local people. Shaheer and Neil Carr said that one tourist once went to Yellowstone National Park (USA) and let their child ride on the back of a bison for a photo, despite the danger.
This stubborn disregard for knowledge resulted in the father being hospitalized immediately after being kicked by the cow. Even worse, there was a case in Tanzania where a tourist deliberately ignored a tour guide's warning, leaning out of a Jeep to approach a lion.
