Tourist Trap Truths!
We all seem to know what a Tourist Trap is.
Most streetwise world travellers can spot a Tourist Trap even before we can see the high rise apartments overlooking the crowded beaches!
Anyway, a Tourist Trap can be defined as ‘A place, such as a shop or resort area, that offers overpriced goods and services to tourists.’
Actually, most of us have probably started our world travels by firstly visiting a Tourist Trap.
But to help others who are about to start their travel addiction, I’ve identified some of the common symptoms that are associated with being caught in a Tourist Trap.
Here they are – The Top 10 Signs That You’re Caught in a Tourist Trap:
1. English Breakfasts are widely available – and you’re nowhere near England.
2. When you try to buy something, there is always a [insert your nationality here] price.
3. Menus are in English, German and French – but not in the local language.
4. You can buy exactly the same crap as you can at home – for not much less.
5. Every tour, shopping item or cultural performance labelled as ‘authentic’ isn’t.
6. Souveniers are all made in China – and you’re not holidaying in China.
7. The Tourist Trap destination is popular with the following groups – package holiday tourists, bucks party hordes and skin cancer searchers.
8. You’re staying in the same hotel chain that you have stayed in for the last 5 holidays.
9. Two words – Timeshare apartments; and finally
10. Your search for ‘Tourist Trap’ on the Lonely Planet website brings up the Tourist Trap you are staying in!
So there you go!
You will now know if you are caught in a Tourist Trap!
Also check out Tourist Trap: When Holiday Turns to Nightmare.
Other silly Travel Tips that you may not want to take notice of: 52 Perfect Offbeat Travel Tips and 52 Travel Tips for Weird Food and Drinks!
Haha, excellent post and funny stuff. And so true!
thanks for the information Anthony, and that’s why you don’t go to Bali LOL
🙂
A guy standing in the doorway trying to drag you inside is a good indication too, most of the time.
Good list , i like no 6
Very nice post. Awesome and funny stuff. Thanks for this.
Love this article! It made me laugh with how correct you really are! I have never even noticed it before either.
Surprise! You really covered this subject well. Hope others feel the same way.
“Menus are in English, German and French – but not in the local language.”hahaha this is so true, if the menu isn’t in the local language you know that you’re in a tourist trap!
Isn’t that so awkward? The thought of a lot people seeing you is something I don’t like. that’s why I’ve never been to a beach like this, and the many buildings made it a bit crowded. But then, thanks for this information.
so many of the above happen everywhere; some can be avoided, but the language on the menu’s – what do you do in a country where you don’t understand the language and prefer an english menu? Of course the prices are different depending on the language but the law approves it.
tourist traps are EVERYWHERE, great article to read before going on a trip and making plans.
I totally agree! the pictures on the menu are the worst!!
Yep, can spot the tourist trap from a mile away!
Very true. But sometimes you need to visit those tourist traps to remind yourself why you enjoy those off-the-beaten-path destinations. Plus, some tourist traps have sites/history of interest.
Yes, true! They exist for a reason!
Nice list. Yes, if LP calls where you are a tourist trap. Funny.
Ha ha! If a destination has made a travel show, it’s already too late!
it’s funny because it’s true! great post. and i hate that foreigner price. even though a local before me bought the same thing and i saw exactly what he paid for, i still get foreigner price. i hate it with passion. haha.
All very true! Beware the “authentic” label! I like the one about the menus being in every language but the local one – we see that a lot in Thailand, although here I think it is a bit more of an accommodation thing.
Ha ha, cool!
Great stuff and I am sure this is good even for a seasoned traveler. You never know when you will be caught next but knowing some stuff save up time and inconveniences.
This is so funny because it’s true. It makes me think of every cruise port I’ve ever been to. LOL
Ha ha, thanks!