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There is no authoritative global ranking of the “worst-behaved tourists.” The ten examples below are reported incidents selected for documented harm, danger, or disregard for local rules—not a measure of which nationality behaves worst. They range from cultural disrespect and unsafe stunts to theft, vandalism, and disruption of local life.
How to read this list
The examples come from CNN Travel’s 2023 year-end roundup, republished by WCVB. They are memorable cases chosen by a news outlet, not a representative sample of travelers or a statistical ranking. The roundup describes incidents and reported outcomes as of its publication; where it reported a case as pending, that status should not be treated as current. CNN Travel’s roundup, republished by WCVB.
The cases are grouped by the conduct and its effects rather than ranked by nationality. The people involved came from different places; their actions say nothing reliable about how an entire country’s residents travel.
Ten reported examples of tourists behaving badly
1. Nudity at a sacred site on Mount Agung, Bali
A Russian tourist was reported to have posed nude from the waist down at Mount Agung, a sacred site in Bali. The conduct disregarded the site’s religious significance and local expectations of respect. The roundup reports the incident, but this article does not claim a current legal outcome.
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2. Driving in a pedestrianized area of Florence
A tourist was reported driving in a pedestrianized area of Florence. Ignoring vehicle restrictions in a place designed for pedestrians can endanger people on foot and interfere with local efforts to manage crowded historic streets. The roundup does not establish a present legal disposition for the incident.
3. Jumping into a Venice canal
A visitor was reported jumping into a Venice canal. Beyond the disruption, entering a canal can put the person in danger and create risks for others who may have to respond. The roundup does not provide a confirmed current legal outcome.
4. A wine theft linked to Atrio restaurant in Spain
A couple were reported jailed in connection with a wine theft from Atrio restaurant in Spain. This is a reported consequence, not a basis for claiming a conviction or describing the case’s current status; the roundup alone does not establish either.
5. Intoxicated hikers in the Lake District
Intoxicated hikers in England’s Lake District were reported to have needed attention. When people become impaired outdoors, the consequences can extend beyond their own safety to the people who must assist them. The roundup does not specify a confirmed legal outcome.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors6. Disturbing a newborn bison calf in Yellowstone
A tourist was reported disturbing a newborn bison calf at Yellowstone National Park. Approaching or interfering with wildlife can put visitors and animals at risk, particularly when an animal is young and its behavior may be unpredictable. The roundup does not establish a current legal disposition.
7. Graffiti at Rome’s Colosseum
Several graffiti incidents at Rome’s Colosseum featured in the roundup. Marking a historic monument damages a shared cultural site and can require costly conservation work. The roundup discusses reported incidents; it should not be read as a single case with one legal outcome.
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8. Overcrowding pressures in Hallstatt
Hallstatt, Austria, reportedly erected a fence after receiving as many as 10,000 visitors in a day, in a village of about 800 residents. Those are peak figures reported in the roundup, not an annual average and not evidence that visitors there are unusually disrespectful. They do illustrate how visitor volumes can strain a small community and the public spaces residents use.
9. Visitors asking locals to fund their travel
The roundup quotes Hong Kong resident Ashley James criticizing visitors who ask local people to pay for their trips: “Travel is a luxury around the world, and people saying ‘pay for my travel’ is stupid and entitled.” This is a resident’s criticism of a behavior, not a criminal allegation; the underlying impact is the expectation that locals should subsidize a visitor’s leisure.
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Individual headlines cannot show how common bad behavior is. A separate, commissioned survey offers a limited snapshot of self-reported conduct: Compare the Market commissioned Pureprofile to survey adults in Australia, the United States, and Canada in April 2022. Respondents admitted to the following behaviors:
| Behavior respondents admitted | United States (1,000 adults) | Canada (1,005 adults) | Australia (502 adults) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural insensitivity | 10.6% | 12.1% | 8.6% |
| Theft while travelling | 10.6% | 7.6% | 5.4% |
| Intentional lawbreaking at a vacation destination | 10.0% | 8.2% | 7.2% |
These are respondents’ admissions in a survey, not independently audited crime rates or estimates for all travelers of those nationalities. The sample sizes differed, the survey covered only three countries, and its results date to April 2022. Compare the Market’s survey and methodology.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to avoid becoming a bad tourist
Good intentions do not replace paying attention to the place you are visiting. A few practical habits help prevent avoidable harm:
- Learn the local expectations. Check guidance on dress, religious and cultural sites, photography, and public behavior before arriving. A custom that feels ordinary at home may be disrespectful elsewhere.
- Follow signs and instructions. Observe pedestrian zones, park rules, wildlife distances, and directions from site staff or transport crews. Do not treat a short visit as an exception to rules designed to protect people and places.
- Keep your distance from wildlife. Do not approach, feed, touch, or provoke animals, even for a photograph. Follow posted guidance and ranger instructions.
- Plan for your own safety. Avoid outdoor activities while impaired, and take warnings, terrain, weather, and your ability into account. Do not create an emergency that others must manage.
- Respect residents and shared spaces. Keep public areas usable, do not damage heritage sites, and do not assume local people owe visitors money, attention, or accommodation.
Compare the Market’s travel insurance expert Stephen Zeller advises travelers to understand destination risks before leaving and select cover suited to the trip. That is sensible preparation, but insurance is not permission to break local laws or disregard safety rules; the company’s page warns that claims may not be paid when a loss occurs during unlawful conduct. Compare the Market’s travel guidance.
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