Not all tourists are created equal! Whether you’re an avid traveler or a seasoned local, chances are, you’ve come across a foreign visitor who looks like they left their manners at home.
Although some tourists can be polite, friendly, and respectful of cultural norms—we’re looking at you, Japan, others seem to have packed mischief into their suitcases, with “trouble” stamped all over their passports.
The question is: where are all these naughty travelers coming from? Here are the top ten countries exporting the worst tourists, infamous for bringing their bad behavior around the globe.
1. China
A teenage boy scratching his name into 3,500-year-old Egyptian ruins, an influencer livestreaming herself eating a protected species of great white shark, and a mother letting her child poop on the floor of a Taiwanese airport—what do these three have in common?
They’re just a few out of the countless Chinese tourists who’ve made the headlines for their offensive actions abroad.
Their behavior has gotten so bad, that even their own government has commented on it, calling it “uncivilized” and claiming that it damages their “national image.”
Travelers from China are also notorious for refusing to wait in lines and follow simple rules, as well as entering private property to take photos, earning the nickname “selfie stick conquerors.”
2. France
According to a survey of 4,500 hotel owners around the world, the French are the worst tourists.
They’re seen as “most likely to engage in rude or scandalous behaviors” and also being the “least generous,” which is another way of saying the French are penny-pinchers or poor tippers.
On top of that, tourists from France have a bad reputation for being unwilling to learn the local language of the place, and getting angry when no one around them speaks French—yikes!
3. United Kingdom
British citizens are infamous for their loud, rowdy, and drunken behavior worldwide, especially during “stag parties,” which are their country’s equivalent of American bachelor parties.
In March of 2023, Amsterdam went as far as launching a “Stay Away” campaign to discourage “wild young male British tourists” from causing chaos in the capital, warning them of fines, the chance of being arrested, or winding up in the hospital if their merrymaking goes wrong.
4. United States
Stereotyped as “The Ugly American,” tourists from the United States are criticized for a handful of bad habits: talking too loudly, being oblivious to everyone and their personal space, and complaining about everything—from cigarette smoke to burger sizes and coffee temperature.
American tourists are also known for making some pretty questionable fashion choices. You can easily spot them wearing baseball caps, college sweatshirts, fanny packs, and sandals even during formal events or while visiting sacred places of worship abroad.
5. Russia
Russians have a reputation for being rude and rambunctious tourists, their behavior usually fueled by their love of alcohol. In a survey by Triposo, they were considered the most difficult travelers.
It’s hard to get them to leave after they’re drunk and have overstayed their welcome.
Travelers from Russia have also made headlines for disregarding local dress codes. In March of 2023, a 24-year-old Russian tourist provoked public outrage by stripping from the waist down to take a semi-nude photo at a sacred site in Bali. He was deported soon after.
6. India
Everybody loves a good bargain, but Indian travelers tend to go a bit too far when haggling overseas, which is one of many reasons they’re often branded the world’s worst tourists.
Whether it’s a discount on the entry fee at the Louvre, a lower rate for a gondola ride in Venice, or a room upgrade in one of the finest hotels in New York, an Indian tourist won’t hesitate to ask!
Another thing Indian tourists can’t get enough of is freebies and complimentary products. In a video that went viral in 2019, an Indian family was caught taking not just toiletries, but also electronics and hotel items in Indonesia, including a mirror, clothes hangers, and a hair dryer.
7. Israel
Israeli travelers are another consistent contender on the world’s “worst tourist” lists. Why? Hospitality industry workers frequently describe them as guests who are entitled, demanding, impatient, and won’t take no for an answer—sounds like a server’s worst nightmare!
Some hotels have an unofficial policy of refusing young Israeli tourists. In September of 2024, travelers from the Jewish state made the headlines for assaulting three hotel workers in Egypt.
8. Australia
From smashing beer bottles and shouting on their phones to sporting T-shirts in temples and worse—stripping their clothes off in public, Aussie tourists are also guilty of misbehavior abroad.
Australians are among the highest spenders in the world when it comes to travel and nightlife. Unfortunately, it’s having one too many drinks that usually causes their manners and morals to go down the drain, leading them to disrespect locals and drive while intoxicated.
In Japan, there have been reports of Aussie travelers physically harassing geishas, climbing delicate cherry trees, and carving their names in a protected bamboo forest.
9. Germany
Much like the Americans, German holidaymakers bring their high expectations with them when traveling to other countries, and are very vocal when their ideal destination falls short.
These outspoken travelers have a reputation for making a lot of “ridiculous complaints” and for always finding something to complain about no matter how high the standard of service is.
Germans are also known for treating vacations like military operations—they’re ultra-punctual, obsessed with following rules, and plan their itineraries carefully, accounting for every minute.
10. Italy
There’s a well-known quote that humorously describes Italian tourists: “Italians love traveling to other countries, ordering Italian food, and then complaining that it’s not as good as it is in Italy.”
As you can see, these picky-eating tourists have a palate that’s hard to please! You may even spot them in foreign restaurants inquiring about the purity of the ingredients used in a dish or asking the chef about the preparation methods used to ensure that it’s “properly” cooked.
Don’t even think about changing their classic recipes or offering an Italian some hastily-prepared fast food—you might have a grumpy tourist in your hands!