This summer, a surge of headlines detailing tourists behaving badly around the world has left many shaking their heads in disbelief. From reckless antics at iconic landmarks to cultural insensitivity, it seems like travelers have forgotten the basics of respect when visiting foreign destinations.
Just last week, two inebriated American tourists managed to sneak into a closed section of the Eiffel Tower, where they slept off their alcohol-induced escapade high above Paris. The week before that, a French woman faced arrest for carving her initials into Italy’s beloved Leaning Tower of Pisa, defacing an international treasure. And it’s not just Europeans and Americans; a Canadian teenager vandalized a 1,200-year-old Japanese temple, while a man from Bristol etched his name into Rome’s Colosseum, pleading ignorance about its historical significance. In yet another bizarre incident, a German tourist disrupted a sacred Bali temple performance by stripping naked, following a string of unpaid hotel bills.
It may feel like an unprecedented summer of unruly tourists, but history reveals that travelers have been misbehaving for centuries. Ancient wonders like Pompeii and the Egyptian pyramids bear witness to millennia-old graffiti etched into their walls by early sightseers. Even celebrated explorers like Christopher Columbus and Hernan Cortes, who are often regarded as trailblazers, engaged in deplorable behavior.
Today, we are witnessing a resurgence of bad tourist behavior, but it might be a turning point. The collective outrage over these incidents could spark a moment of reckoning for travelers worldwide. In an era marked by heightened awareness of privilege and cultural sensitivity, the increased focus on entitled and boorish tourists aligns with other recent social movements.
One contributing factor to this trend is the competition for social media attention. Travelers now often resort to extreme actions to garner likes and views on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Paradoxically, social media accounts like “Passenger Shaming” are being used to call out inappropriate behavior.
Additionally, the massive surge in international travel, with nearly 1.5 billion people traveling internationally in 2019, has led to some tourists believing that engaging in reckless or disrespectful acts is “cool.” The concept of “revenge travel” after years of pandemic lockdowns has also played a role, with some tourists viewing foreign countries as a carefree playground.
One particularly disheartening trend is the growing number of individuals engraving their names on ancient monuments, believing it’s a way to immortalize themselves. However, this summer’s headlines serve as a stark reminder that international travel is a privilege that comes with great responsibility.
Hawaii’s recent wildfires offer a poignant illustration of this responsibility. As devastating fires swept through parts of Maui, tourists continued to flock to the area, swimming in waters where locals had perished just days earlier. Privilege necessitates responsibility, and it is crucial that travelers learn to empathize with the communities they visit and not prioritize their personal desires over respect for others.
The beauty of travel lies in the appreciation of the world’s wonders. People tend to care more deeply about what they know and are more likely to protect it. This point is poignantly conveyed in the film “Oppenheimer,” where US Secretary of War Henry Stimson removes Kyoto from the list of cities targeted for the atomic bomb due to his personal connection with the city from his honeymoon. The message is clear: we do not harm what we hold dear.
Fortunately, some destinations are taking proactive steps to address this issue. Bali and Iceland now request tourists to pledge to respect their culture and environment after visiting. Palau requires visitors to sign an eco-pledge upon arrival, while Australia has banned the climbing of Uluru (Ayres Rock) due to its significance as an Aboriginal sacred site. Amsterdam has even launched a “stay-away” ad campaign targeting unruly British tourists.
In conclusion, this summer of bad tourists serves as a wake-up call for travelers worldwide. It’s a reminder that exploring the world should come with an equal measure of respect, responsibility, and cultural sensitivity. As travelers, we must strive to preserve and protect the global treasures we are fortunate enough to experience, leaving them intact for future generations to appreciate.