Nearly half of Brits try not to look like obvious tourists while abroad
Some of the top giveaways of being a tourist in a foreign country include having a camera hanging round your neck (53%), constantly taking selfies (47%) – and wearing shorts while the locals are dressed in jumpers and trousers (35%), according to Brits.
Taking a long time to count out currency when paying for things (38%), and stopping in the middle of the street to check a map or their phone for directions (50%), are other top tells that you are in an unfamiliar city.
And two in five Brits think it is easy to spot other non-locals when they are abroad – with 43% trying hard not to look too obviously like a tourist themselves while travelling.
A survey of 2,000 adults, who have been on a city break before, found that 16% say their top priority during such a trip is to be a “Culture Vulture”, and soak up everything “real” around them.
It comes as the research, from Jet2Citybreaks, uncovered the top personality types when travelling – from the “Foot Soldier”, who refuses to use public transport and instead tries to take in the city on foot, to the “Backpack Brit”, who carries everything you might possibly need.
It also emerged that 13% of Brits consider themselves a “free and easy” traveller – who wanders about with nothing more than a pair of sunglasses when on holiday.
A spokesman for Jet2Citybreaks said: “There are always certain traits that people inherit when they go on a city break, depending on their personality type.
“Everyone travels differently – with some people wanting to plan every last detail of their trip, while others are more spontaneous and will just go with the flow.
“With this in mind, when you go away with someone, it’s important you either have similar values, or make sure your companion’s traits mesh well.”
The study also revealed 42% believe accidentally getting lost is the best way to discover a new city – with 17% more than happy to look like a tourist when they go away.
The average adult plans in three activities for each three-night city break they take, and eats five meals out, according to the OnePoll.com figures. They’ll rack up six miles on foot each day, and spend £213 on attractions and sightseeing – and £270 on food.
It also revealed the top three cities people would most like to visit on a city break, with Venice, Florence, and Iceland’s Reykjavik at the top of the list.
The spokesman for Jet2Citybreaks added: “A European city break in a destination you have not visited before allows you to scratch that wanderlust itch in just a few days.
“While most of us like to blend in with the locals when abroad, it is all too easy for us to look like tourists when we are exploring a new city.
“Whether that is getting lost, not being familiar with the currency, or taking too many selfies – but that is all part of the fun of a holiday.
“The research shows the demand for city breaks is a strong as ever, and looking at that top ten list of where people want to go really whets the appetite for adventure.”
TOP 10 CITY BREAK PERSONALITY TYPES:
- “Super Scheduler” – every minute of every day is planned to maximise the sights that can be seen.
- “Culture Vulture” – obsessed with the culture and soaking up everything around you.
- “Chameleon Character” – blending in with the locals and trying not to look like an obvious tourist.
- “Free and Easy” – travelling super light, with nothing more than a pair of sunglasses.
- “Foot Soldier” – refusing to use public transport or taxis because you get a much better feel for a new city by walking around.
- “Foodie Fanatic” – every plan ends with food, and is only happy on a full stomach.
- “Backpack Brit” – carries everything you might possibly need, from lip balm to four different currencies.
- “Try-Hard Tourist” – taking photos at every single landmark, including the obvious ones like “holding up” the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
- “Lost Cause” – never finding your way to the place you’re actually trying to get to, and getting lost at least twice a day.
- “Stubborn Mule” – refusing to ask for help or directions, trying to speak the language, using the public transport.
TOP 10 CITIES BRITS WANT TO VISIT:
- Venice, Italy
- Florence, Italy
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Barcelona, Spain
- Vienna, Austria
- Athens, Greece
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Paris, France
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Budapest, Hungary
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