(Lebanon, N.H. – August 16, 2023) Loud, rude conduct and disrespectful or entitled behavior by tourists while visiting another country are the leading characteristics that infuriate the world’s most experienced travelers, according to the summer 2023 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

“Global tourism is on track to rise by 30% in 2023 as travelers make up for lost time due to the pandemic-related travel restrictions. Unfortunately, a few travelers may have forgotten their manners in their post-pandemic travel exuberance. If so, then I hope they remember them soon,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

An important part of travel is the responsibility each traveler bears at every destination. Are you dressed inoffensively? Is your behavior appropriate for the region? How you present yourself in foreign localities reflects on your homeland, but it also stirs reactions from the local population that could be helpful or provocative.

According to the survey, the worst tourist conduct observed by other global travelers was being too loud (27%). In second place, 26% of respondents reported that travelers’ unwillingness to try local cuisine or follow local social customs was the most infuriating behavior. The third most disappointing trait (18%) was the expectation that destination residents speak the same language as the traveler. Fewer than 10% of respondents said tourists who wear revealing, offensive or shabby clothing were the most exasperating.

“When you’re visiting a new country, it’s essential to respect the local culture and customs. Behaving like a tourist can be seen as disrespectful and offensive to locals. Travelers should do the research to know and understand the little things about the customs and culture of your destination,” said Harding Bush, a senior manager for security operations at Global Rescue.

Looking and acting like a tourist can produce assumptions that you are inexperienced, naive, lacking cultural awareness, and wealthy. “Standing out as a tourist can make you appear vulnerable and an easy target for scams, pickpockets and other types of crime. By blending in you reduce the risk of local criminals or scam artists spotting you as a foreign traveler and targeting you for fraudulent schemes or petty crimes,” Bush said.

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Contact Bill McIntyre at bmcintyre@globalrescue.com or 202.560.1195 (phone/text) for more information.

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, conducted a survey of more than 2,300 of its current and former members from July 11-15, 2023. The respondents exposed a range of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding international and domestic travel.

About Global Rescue

The Global Rescue Companies are the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.