Why ‘tourist syndrome’ can get you in trouble on holiday – and thousands do it
OVER half of tourists have admitted to experiencing troublesome "tourist syndrome" - and you may discover that you are guilty too.
The latest survey of 1,231 adults by travel analysts at has found the behaviour "threatens the future freedom of travel".
The October data has found that 56.5 percent of people will do "something out of character" while travelling.
The co-founder at Radical Storage, Giacomo Piva, told : "Unfortunately, the findings of this survey confirm what we already know.
"The tourism industry may have recovered from the impact of COVID-19, but sadly the epidemic of bad behaviour continues to threaten the future freedom of travel, with sweeping Europe.
"The fact that 56.5% of people admitted to behaving badly and experiencing 'tourist syndrome' on vacation shows us that this issue isn’t about the few ruining travel for the many – but the many ruining travel for us all."
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Out of those taking part in the research, Gen Z was the largest group to admit to acting out.
Some 72 percent of those born between 1997 and 2012 said they were guilty of the offence.
Nearly half of those questioned suggested social media use was to blame for their bad behaviour which could explain why the younger generation were more inclined to let their hair down.
A third suggested the anonymity of travel lended itself to such behaviour.
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Four in ten suggested it was out of having fun and wanting to "let their hair down".
Participants were also asked to admit to a list of offences with territorial towel placing being one of the most common.
Others in the top three included posing inappropriately with a statue and plant picking without permission.
Despite the high number admitting they took part in the behaviour, 61 percent of respondents added harsher punishments should be in place.
It comes after "selfish tourists" were accused by locals of ruining a seaside town in Filey, North Yorkshire.
Parking has become a hot issue for those living in the area.
